Prevention of dengue fever: Together we can prevent it

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever (DF) is an acute infectious disease caused by dengue virus (DENV). It is one of the most widely spread mosquito-borne infectious diseases in the world. In my country, it is mainly transmitted through the bites of the vector Aedes mosquito (commonly known as the "spotted mosquito"), and the disease is generally not transmitted directly between people.

Image source: Pixabay

Mode of transmission

It is mainly transmitted through the bites of Aedes mosquitoes. In my country, the main vectors of transmission are Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.

Clinical manifestations

Fever (up to 39°C): Fever is the most common symptom after infection with dengue fever, and you may feel very tired, and sometimes you may also experience anorexia, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, etc.

“Three pains and three reds”: headache, eye socket pain (feeling like eyes are on fire), muscle, bone and joint pain (backache), and redness of the face, neck and chest;

Rash: On the 3rd to 6th day of onset, some patients will develop rash and itching on the face and limbs, which will disappear after 3-4 days;

Bleeding: Some patients may experience nosebleeds, bleeding gums, menorrhagia, subcutaneous bleeding, hematuria, etc. 5-8 days after the fever.

How to prevent and control dengue fever

Clearing water

Clean up all kinds of stagnant water in your home. For aquatic plants, change the water and wash the bottles every 3-4 days. Do not leave any stagnant water in the bottom of the flower pots. For stagnant water in terraces outside buildings, outdoor potholes, tree holes, bamboo tubes, etc., you need to regularly clear, fill in the pits, turn over the pots and jars, etc.

Anti-bite

1. Indoor

Installation: Install screen doors and windows at home. Spray insecticide on the screen windows for better results. Use mosquito nets when sleeping.

Repellent: Mosquito repellent products containing ingredients such as DEET, chlorpyrifos, picaridin, lemon leaves, eucalyptus oil, etc. can be used on exposed skin and clothing.

Killing: When adult mosquitoes are found at home, you can use insecticide aerosols, mosquito coils, mosquito tablets and other hygienic insecticides with a qualified certificate to kill mosquitoes. Close doors and windows before applying the pesticides, and leave after applying the pesticides; open doors and windows again after 0.5-1 hour; and ventilate the room for 20 minutes before entering. You can also kill mosquitoes with electric mosquito swatters or mosquito killers.

Wash: Take a bath in time and keep dry.

2. Outdoors

Isolation: Wear light-colored long-sleeved clothes and long pants when going out.

Repellent: Mosquito repellent products containing ingredients such as DEET, chlorpyrifos, picaridin, lemon leaves, eucalyptus oil, etc. can be used on exposed skin and clothing.

Source: Chongqing Banan District Second People's Hospital

Review experts: Zhang Zhenghong, Tu Xiuying

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