What Is Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes that are carrying any of the five known strains of dengue viruses. One of the reasons why the disease easily transfers from one person to another is the fact that symptoms only begin three to fourteen days after a person had been bit by an infected mosquito. The most common of these symptoms include high fever, vomiting, joint pains, skin rashes, muscle pains, and recurring headaches. People who are suffering from any or all of these symptoms are highly advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Dengue fever can be fatal if not treated immediately.
How Do You Get Dengue?
The dengue virus is commonly transmitted from one person to another by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It’s a well-established fact that these type of mosquitoes usually prowl early in the morning and afternoon. This doesn’t mean however that they aren’t active during other times of the day. When a mosquito bites a person already suffering from dengue fever and then bites a healthy person, this is where the transmission occurs. The healthy person may not feel anything during the first few days after being bitten. But as the virus spreads in the bloodstream, the person will start experiencing the common symptoms like headaches and high fever. Statistics show that between 10,000 to 20,000 people die from dengue fever every year.
How To Prevent The Spread Of The Dengue Virus
The first step in preventing the spread of the virus is learning about how do you get dengue. Learning about the causes will help you in identifying preventive measures. As was mentioned earlier, mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus are usually active in the early morning and evening. With that said. you need to be extra vigilant during these times. Stay away from places where mosquitoes roam. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. You should also regularly clean out areas that may serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. There’s already a vaccine being developed against the dengue virus which has been approved in at least three countries. Unfortunately, this vaccine is not yet available commercially.
What To Do When You Experience Symptoms Of The Disease
Now that we’ve answered the question of how do you get dengue, let’s look into what you should do when you start feeling any of the symptoms. Your best course of action is to get check up as soon as possible. Even if you’re feeling only one or two of the symptoms, see a doctor immediately. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the faster you can recover from it.
