Dengue – Frequently Asked Questions
In recent days, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a marginal spike in dengue fever cases, affecting individuals of all ages – including Children and Adults.
This mosquito-borne infection has become a significant concern, exacerbated by various factors. One such is climate change, i.e., during the monsoon season, the outbreak of dengue is high.
Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are the primary causes behind the spread of dengue through their bites.
Concerning this health concern, understanding its signs and symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and preventive measures is essential in mitigating its impact and preventing its spread.
Here are some frequently asked questions about dengue fever that can help you understand better.
Can Dengue Spread From Person To Person?
Dengue fever is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites, specifically those of Aedes mosquitoes. However, there are exceptional cases where the virus can be transmitted in different ways. For instance, if a pregnant woman contracts dengue, the virus can pass to her baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Additionally, though rare, dengue can be spread through blood transfusions.
Can Dengue Mosquito Bite At Night?
Dengue is primarily a daytime-biting mosquito-borne disease.
However, Aedes Aegypti, which is responsible for transmitting dengue stays active during peak times such as early morning (two hours after sunrise) and late afternoon (two hours before sunset).
What Is The First Sign Of Dengue Fever?
Dengue symptoms can range from mild to severe. And some individuals, especially children and teenagers, may not exhibit any signs of the disease at the earliest. Gradually the symptoms start to appear four to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. In its milder form, dengue presents as a High Fever (often around 104°F) accompanied by any of the following seven warning signs:
Headache
Muscle, bone, and joint pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain behind the eyes
Swollen glands
Rash
In rare and severe cases, the disease can progress to hemorrhagic fever, leading to damaged and leaky blood vessels, severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and even death.
Can Dengue Fever Occur To The Same Person Twice?
Yes, a person can be infected with Dengue multiple times, as there are four different serotypes of the Dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4).
Each serotype can cause the disease, and previous infection with one serotype does not provide complete immunity against the others. Some reinfections can result in more severe forms of the disease, particularly with the D2 strain, which is associated with symptoms like Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome.
Immune complications may also occur in some cases, making reinfections more severe.
Do Platelets Decrease Because Of Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever can lead to a significant drop in platelet count in the bloodstream. As it affects the bone marrow, which is the site for the formation of platelets, platelet production reduces. Despite this, it can even increase the platelet destruction from peripheral blood.
These results in a condition termed Thrombocytopenia, occurring when the platelet count is low in the blood. As a result, it increases the risk of internal bleeding.
If this is the worst case, platelet transfusion may be necessary.
Can Dengue Be Prevented?
Preventing dengue primarily involves measures to protect yourself from mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito breeding sites. Here’s what you can do:
Stay in air-conditioned rooms or ensure that doors are closed if you don’t have air conditioning.
Limit outdoor activities, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, to cover up the exposed skin.
Use mosquito repellent on exposed skin, and consider applying permethrin to clothing, shoes, camping gear, and bed netting.
Make your living environment free from mosquito breeding sites. Aedes mosquitoes often breed in stagnant water in items like automobile tires, air coolers, and flower vases. Regularly empty and clean these containers and keep them covered between cleanings.
Is Dengue A Fatal Disease?
The person suffering from dengue can recover completely as its symptoms can be managed by staying hydrated and taking medications as prescribed by the healthcare provider.
However, in some cases, Dengue can progress to conditions like Dengue Hemorrhagic fever and Dengue Shock syndrome. When left untreated, it can pose a risk to one’s health.
Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and the right medications can reduce the risk in severe cases.
How Is Dengue Diagnosed?
Early and accurate diagnosis of dengue is important for effective management and timely treatment.
When you seek medical assistance because of the concerning symptoms, the healthcare professionals will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and recent travel history to regions where dengue is prevalent. While these symptoms can overlap with other illnesses, they provide important initial clues for diagnosis.
Followed by blood tests for dengue. This includes the following:
Antigen Test: This test identifies the presence of the dengue virus in a patient’s blood.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test: PCR is a molecular test that detects the genetic material of the dengue virus.
What Are The Treatment Options For Dengue Fever?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. In mild cases, patients are advised to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration and manage their symptoms with medications. However, in severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary, with treatment including intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement, blood pressure monitoring, and blood transfusion to address complications.
When Should I Consult A Doctor?
Many people tend to overlook the symptoms of dengue fever. It’s crucial to consult a doctor if experiencing fever for more than 3 days. Never even neglect the mild symptoms; diagnose early and prevent the potential complications that arise because of dengue.
What Precautions Should Be Taken After Recovering From Dengue?
Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to help boost your immune system, which even helps you in the recovery phase.
Make sure to include adequate vitamins and minerals in your diet. Avoid oil and junk foods.
Hydrate yourself by drinking water, and healthy & refreshing juices.
Ensure your body gets sufficient rest to aid your recovery and regain strength.
Always follow the guidance and medications prescribed by your healthcare provider during and after the illness.
During the recovery phase, the body may still be weak, so excessive physical exertion should be avoided. Instead, walking or light exercise can be practiced.
Which Signs Include That We Are Cured From Dengue?
The patient begins to regain the lost function.
During the recovery phase, which typically occurs 7 days after the onset of Dengue, the patient’s condition gradually improves. This includes the subsiding of fever, increased urination, and a returning appetite.
In rare cases, even after crossing the recovery phase, if you encounter any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
Decreased urination
Few or no tears
Dry mouth or lips
Lethargy or confusion
Cold or clammy extremities
Book Your Appointment with Dr Mehta’s Best Dengue Doctors in Chennai!!
To wrap it up,
Knowing more about Dengue from this FAQS article helps you make smart choices for your health and your community during times when the disease is more prevalent.
By understanding the key aspects of the disease, its symptoms, and preventive measures, you play a vital role in staying safe and contributing to Dengue prevention efforts.
Stay informed, stay vigilant, and together let’s combat Dengue effectively!!!
0 notes
Pairing frogs and toads together might conjure memories of Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters — dressed to the nines in caramel coats and polyester — biking off toward adventure.
But in the animal world, frogs and toads on nearly every continent are facing a much more harrowing adventure: a decades-long fight against a mysterious fungal virus that has afflicted over 500 amphibian species.
Since the 1990s, scientists estimate that the chytridiomycosis disease caused by the fungal pathogen Bd (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) has led to the extinction of 90 amphibians. One of the lost species includes the Panamanian golden frog, which hasn’t been spotted in the wild since 2009.
Fortunately, a new research study has finally pinpointed the virus that has been infecting fungal genomes for decades.
“Bd is a generalist pathogen and is associated with the decline of over 500 amphibian species…here, we describe the discovery of a novel DNA mycovirus of Bd,” wrote Mark Yacoub — the lead author of the study and a microbiology doctoral student at the University of California, Riverside.
In an interview with UC Riverside News, Yacoub said that he and microbiology professor Jason Stajich observed the viral genome while studying the broader population genetics of mycovirus (viruses of fungi).
The discovery will undoubtedly have monumental impacts on future amphibian conservation efforts. This includes the possible launching of new research studies into fungal species strains, the practice of cloning and observing spores, and engineering a solution to the virus.
But Yacoub cautioned that this is only the beginning.
“We don’t know how the virus infects the fungus, how it gets into the cells,” Yacoub said. “If we’re going to engineer the virus to help amphibians, we need answers to questions like these.”
Still, as scientists strengthen conservation efforts to save frogs and toads (and salamanders too!) they also appear to be saving themselves. Yacoub pointed out several amphibian species around the world have begun exhibiting resistance to Bd.
“Like with COVID, there is a slow buildup of immunity,” Yacoub explained. “We are hoping to assist nature in taking its course.”
Pictured: A Golden poison frog — one of the many species endangered by chytridiomycosis — in captivity.
Why are frogs and toads so important?
From the get go, every amphibian species plays an important role in their local ecosystem. Not only are they prey for a slew of animals like lizards, snakes, otters, birds, and more, but in an eat-or-be-eaten world, frogs and toads benefit the food chain by doing both.
Even freshly hatched tadpoles — no bigger than a button — can reduce contamination in their surrounding pond water by nibbling on algae blooms.
As they grow bigger (and leggier), amphibians snack on whatever insect comes their way, greatly reducing the population of harmful pests and making a considerable dent in the transmission malaria, dengue, and Zika fever by eating mosquito larvae.
“Frogs control bad insects, crop pests, and mosquitoes,” Yacoub said. “If their populations all over the world collapse, it could be devastating.”
Yacoub also pointed out that amphibians are the “canary in the coal mine of climate change,” because they are an indicator species. Frogs and toads have permeable skin, making them sensitive to changes in their environment, and they also rely on freshwater.
When amphibians vanish from an ecosystem, it’s a symptom of greater environmental issues...
Herpetologist Maureen Donnelly echoed Yacoub’s sentiments in an interview with Phys Org, noting that when it comes to food chains, biodiversity, and environmental impact, the role of frogs and toads should not be overlooked.
“Conservation must be a global team effort,” Donnelly said. “We are the stewards of the planet and are responsible for all living creatures.”
-via GoodGoodGood, April 22, 2024
337 notes
·
View notes