The main vector of Dengue is the Aedes mosquito which is commonly found in a tropical region or subtropical region. Only the female mosquito is attracted towards the human because of the chemical composition of the human body and for the host to carry her eggs.
They are highly active during the early morning hours and before sunset. Dengue can not be transmitted from one person to another, it can only be spread by the mosquito bite, which transmits the dengue virus from the infected person and passes to a healthy person.
Symptoms
It is like any other viral disease and common symptoms include high fever( 104 F ), rashes, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, rashes, and loss of appetite.
Severe symptoms
Among these is abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in stools, breathing discomfort, altered sensorium, and irritability. Dengue can have three grades of severity. Dengue fever where mild symptoms are seen after the first week of a mosquito bite. Dengue hemorrhagic Fever includes the presence of fever with hemorrhagic manifestations, thrombocytopenia, and evidence of leaky capillaries.
Prevention
Prevention is two-pronged. One is preventing the birth of Dengue mosquitoes and the second protecting from bites. As regards the birth of Dengue Aedes mosquitoes- one should keep surroundings clean and dry. Empty containers, untidy drainage, collected water, plant pots, old scrap material are the ideal places for their growth, the water in this should be dried and not allowed to collect.
Besides for protection, one should wear full sleeves garments that protect you from a mosquito bite. Further applying mosquito repellents, closing windows in the evening are further ways of protecting oneself from a mosquito bite.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for dengue but a few supportive measures which can help in preventing complications include drinking plenty of water (hydration is the most important element), avoiding NSAIDS for controlling fever, and taking only paracetamol whenever needed with proper rest.In case of warning signs, one should immediately consult a doctor.
When is platelets transfusion required?
Platelets transfusion is only required if the number goes below 10,000. If the platelet numbers are higher no transfusion is required unless there is any evidence of bleeding. Any type of unwarranted blood transfusion has its own due risks and hence it should be done only as per the guidelines.
Myths
A lot of people start consuming Papaya leaves and drink Goat milk to increase platelet count. These treatments have no scientific evidence and may even sometimes harm the patient.
Goat milk if taken in unpasteurized form, can at times be more harmful as it may lead to the passing of bacterial infection from animal to the human body which may turn deadlier than Dengue itself.
Similarly, Papaya extracts may lead to severe gastritis in patients causing persistent vomiting and excessive dehydration which will further cause a drop in blood pressure.
So people should follow their doctors' advice and have faith in science and evidence-based treatment.
Hydration is paramount in the management and preventing mosquitoes from breeding around the house is the best measure to prevent Dengue. It runs for three days and panic should be avoided. Hospitalization is required in only very limited cases. Can one get it twice?
There are four different types of serotypes of dengue so you can get it more than once or multiple times in your life.Aedes mosquito also spread Chikungunya, Zika, and Yellow fever.
The writer is Dr Vineeta Tandon Senior consultant, Internal Medicine at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi