Are you afraid of dengue? Let's know these things for sure! (Dengue Fever)

In Sri Lanka, when we say "dengue", we get a little scared, don't we? Mosquitoes everywhere... Even if we get a slight fever, we still feel scared, "I don't know if this is dengue." This is a very common disease in our country, and it can be dangerous. Therefore, it is best to be fully informed about it rather than being afraid. So today, let's talk about dengue, its symptoms, what happens if it gets severe, and most importantly, how we can protect ourselves.

Simply put, what is dengue?

Dengue is a disease that we get when we are bitten by a mosquito infected with the Dengue Virus (DENV). There are four main types of this virus. This disease is most prevalent in tropical countries like ours.

One thing to remember is that dengue is not a disease that can be transmitted directly from person to person like the common cold. However, if a pregnant mother gets dengue, it can be transmitted to her unborn baby. Usually, the first time she gets dengue, the symptoms are not that severe. However, if she is infected again with a different type of dengue virus , the risk of the disease becoming more severe is much higher.

It is estimated that nearly 400 million people worldwide contract dengue every year. But the surprising thing is that about 80% of these people do not show any symptoms.

What are the symptoms of dengue? What are the signs of a severe condition?

Most people who get dengue do not show symptoms, but if they do, they can start between 4 and 10 days after the mosquito bite. These symptoms usually last between 3 and 7 days.

I will put this information in a table to make it easier to understand. This section is very important, especially to remember the warning signs of severe dengue.

Why is dengue more severe the second time around?

This is a bit of a complicated story, but I'll explain it simply.

Think of your body's immune system as an army defending a country.

• First invasion: When a dengue virus (let's say type A) enters the body for the first time, our army (immune system) recognizes that enemy and makes special weapons (we call these antibodies) to destroy it. After this battle, our army has the memory and weapons to easily destroy that type A virus if it ever comes back. So type A does not develop again.

• Second invasion: Now imagine, after some time, a different strain of the dengue virus (let's say strain B) enters the body. This enemy is somewhat similar to the one that came before, but not exactly the same. Our army is worried, and takes the weapons (antibodies) that were made for the old strain A and tries to use them against this new B enemy.

This is where the problem lies. Since those old weapons are not exactly a match for the new enemy, instead of destroying it, those weapons help the new virus to infiltrate our body's cells. This is called ``Antibody-dependent enhancement'' in medical science. As a result, the virus spreads rapidly within the body, and the disease becomes more severe. Simply put, our own defense system unknowingly helps the second enemy.

How is dengue treated?

There is no specific medicine yet to kill the dengue virus. So all we can do is control the symptoms and help the body heal. If you suspect you have dengue, definitely see a doctor. He or she will give you the necessary advice.

These are the general tips:

• Drink plenty of water and fluids: It is very important to keep the body hydrated. Things like water, porridge, soup, and fruit juice are very good.
• Get as much rest as possible: The body needs energy to fight the illness. So get plenty of rest.
• Only take acetaminophen for fever and pain: This is very important . Do not take painkillers like Ibuprofen (such as Advil), Aspirin, or Diclofenac Sodium (such as Voltaren) for any reason. These medications greatly increase the risk of bleeding. This can be life-threatening.

How to protect yourself from dengue?

The best way to protect yourself from dengue is to prevent mosquito bites and to avoid mosquito bites.

• Eliminate water retention areas: Regularly clean out things around our homes that collect water, such as tires, coconut shells, empty cans, and flower pots. Check to see if the gutters are blocked.
• Use mosquito repellents: Apply a mosquito repellent containing DEET to your skin to protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially in the morning and evening.
• Wear clothing that covers your skin: Wear long pants and long-sleeved clothing as much as possible.
• Use mosquito nets: It is very important to use a mosquito net when sleeping at night, especially if there are small children and patients.
• Install screens on doors and windows: Reduce the chances of mosquitoes entering the house.