General Medicine

What is dengue? Dengue is an infection which is passed on by mosquitoes. It causes a severe flu-like illness. In rare cases, it can develop into dengue haemorrhagic fever, which is deadly.

Dengue has become a public health concern in India and the rest of the world. It is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions, mostly in urban areas. Dengue is now so common that 42 per cent of the world's population is at risk of getting it. How does dengue spread? The dengue virus is carried by mosquitoes and spread through their bites. These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and tend to bite during the day. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Is dengue a seasonal disease? Mosquitoes breed much more in the rainy season. So just after monsoon (June-September), the number of dengue cases shoots up. What are the symptoms of dengue that I need to watch out for? The symptoms of dengue include: high fever severe headache pain behind the eyes which worsens with eye movement muscle and joint pains loss of taste and appetite a measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs nausea and vomiting As these signs are common to the flu as well, only a blood test will tell you that it's dengue. Contact your doctor immediately if you have these signs, to help prevent complications. How long does the dengue infection last? Most people suffering from dengue recover within two weeks. But they may continue to feel tired for several weeks. What can I do to avoid getting dengue? The best way to prevent dengue is to keep mosquitoes away. They breed in still water, so empty any water from pots, vases or cans in the area near your home. You could also prevent mosquito bites by: Wearing light coloured clothes. Wearing longsleeved clothes. Staying in cool areas. Mosquitoes do not thrive in cold temperatures Using mosquito repellents and bed nets to prevent bites. What if I get dengue while I'm pregnant? If you catch dengue while you are pregnant, there is a greater risk of pre-eclampsia, caesarean birth, pre-term labour and low birth weight. Can I pass on a dengue infection to my unborn baby? Studies have shown there is little risk of passing on the dengue infection to your unborn baby. Some research has found that there might be a higher risk of mother-child infection during the summer, so take extra care during the summer months. Having the infection does put you at a higher risk of having complications during your pregnancy. Can I breastfeed my baby if I have dengue? Yes, research suggests it might even be better to breastfeed. The study found that breastmilk can contain anti-dengue antibodies. This can help to protect your baby from the infections. After having dengue, am I immune for the rest of my life? Sadly, you cannot be fully immune to dengue if you have had it just once. The dengue virus has four strains. If you have had dengue caused by one strain, you will be immune to that strain, but not to the others. So it is possible to get dengue more than once. If you have been infected with one strain before and are infected again with a different strain, you may get dengue haemorrhagic fever. So it's best to prevent infection. COURTESY:www.babycenter.in