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| ABOUT |
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| Dengue
fever aka Breakbone fever, is an infectious disease caused by
the dengue virus. It is manifested by symptoms such as fever,
headache, muscle and joint pains and is characterized by a skin
rash that is similar to measles. In a small number of incidences,
the Dengue turns into a life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic
fever, that causes bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and
blood plasma leakage that often leads the patient into dengue
shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure can prove
fatal to human life! |
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| THINGS
YOU SHOULD KNOW: |
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Dengue
is a serious viral disease transmitted by the bite of the mosquito.
Dengue infection occurs in two forms: Dengue fever and Dengue
Hemorrhagic Fever.
Dengue fever is a severe flu like illness that affects older
children and adults but rarely causes death.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a more severe form, in which
bleeding and occasionally shock occur, leading to death, mostly
in children.
Persons suspected of having dengue fever or DHF must see a doctor
at once. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease and early
recognition and treatment can save lives. Unless proper treatment
is given promptly, the patient may go into shock and die.
Severe abdominal pains (black stools), bleeding on the skin
or from the nose or gums, sweating, cold skin are danger signs.
If any one of them is noticed take the patient to a hospital
immediately. Give fluids to drink during transfer to the hospital.
Give nutritious food and fluids to drink to the patients.
Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.
The patient should be kept under a mosquito net or in a screened
room during the period of illness.
Screen your rooms against mosquitoes or use mosquito nets or
use mosquito repellent.
Discard objects in which water collects, e.g. tins, cans, coconut
shells, etc. Do not allow water to collect in pits around your
houses. All stored water containers should be covered all the
time. This will prevent breeding of Dengue mosquitoes.
Doctors and health workers treating cases of dengue fever should
also notify the health authorities. |
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