Dengue Fever: A Dangerous but Preventable Mosquito-Borne Illness
With the arrival of the monsoon season, mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue fever see a significant rise. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. While it starts like a common viral fever, it can lead to serious complications and even become life-threatening if not treated in time.
Dr. Kanika Sethi, Consultant Physician and Assistant Professor at GRMC and J.A.H. Hospital, Gwalior, shares vital information about dengue symptoms, causes, and the best ways to prevent this disease.
What is Dengue?
Dengue is a contagious viral disease caused by the Dengue Virus (DENV), which has four different strains — DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. If a person gets infected with one strain, they gain lifetime immunity to that strain, but can still be infected by the other three.
Dengue is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which usually bites during the daytime — especially early in the morning and before sunset.
Major Symptoms of Dengue
The early symptoms of dengue may resemble a regular viral fever, but it has certain distinctive signs that should not be ignored:
High Fever (103°F to 105°F)
Vomiting or nausea
Severe Headache
Pain behind the eyes
Bleeding from nose or gums
Skin rashes or red spots
Severe muscle and joint pain (This is why it’s also known as “Breakbone Fever”)
Fatigue, weakness, and restlessness
If untreated, dengue can turn into Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome, which can be fatal.
How Does Dengue Spread?
Dengue is spread when a female Aedes mosquito bites a person infected with the dengue virus and then bites another person, spreading the virus.
These mosquitoes breed in clean stagnant water — found in coolers, flower pots, water tanks, discarded tires, and even small water collections on rooftops.
Dengue is not contagious from person to person through contact or air.
How to Prevent Dengue
Currently, there is no widely available vaccine for dengue in India (though some limited vaccines exist), so prevention is the most effective strategy:
Personal Protection:
Wear full-sleeved clothes and long pants.
Use mosquito repellents, creams, or patches.
Sleep under mosquito nets — even during the day.
Environmental Precautions:
Remove stagnant water from coolers, buckets, and plant trays.
Clean water storage containers weekly.
Cover water tanks and drains properly.
Community Awareness:
Educate neighbors about dengue and mosquito breeding.
Report waterlogging or garbage collection issues to local authorities.
Participate in health awareness drives.
Treatment and Medical Advice
There is no specific antiviral medication for dengue. However, with early diagnosis and proper medical care, full recovery is very possible.
General Treatment Guidelines:
Use Paracetamol for fever and pain (Avoid Ibuprofen or Aspirin as they may increase bleeding).
Stay hydrated — drink plenty of fluids like ORS, coconut water, juices, soups.
Monitor platelet count and blood pressure regularly.
In severe cases, hospitalization and platelet transfusions may be necessary.
Contact Information :-
Address : Mall Rd, Krishna Puri, Morar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474006
Mobile : +916232105320
Conclusion
Dengue is a serious illness but can be effectively prevented by taking simple yet consistent precautions. Awareness and early intervention are key to saving lives and reducing the spread of infection.
Let us join hands in creating a dengue-free environment by staying informed, alert, and proactive.
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