The Dengue Paranoia

oh let me rephrase that, the Dengue Epidemia.

Dengue has been on the news for the past few weeks. August and September are months where Dengue cases rise. As of date (heard from the news), there are already 40,000 cases of dengue for this year, 10,00 of which coming from Metro Manila and the saddest part, almost 300 cases led to death.

Early this year, we lost a love one because of it. My husband’s nephew. Just like any dengue story, the child got fever and on the third day, he was admitted to the hospital. He got a stronger type of dengue and few days the infection got his brain, a few more days and he’s gone. It was one of the most difficult time in the family. It’s the first time that it happened and from a disease that is curable.

I cannot say what happened during those times but I can say that knowledge can be one of the best armor against this disease.

Dengue is a disease that can lead to death BUT it can be cured. It has 4 strains so a person who experienced it, can experience it again.. and can happen 4times. Don’t be afraid though, as mentioned, Dengue can be cured.. but we need to know how and what to do in order to fight Dengue.

This disease, as we all know are transferred through mosquito bites. There is a type of mosquito that carries the dengue virus. And when a dengue carrier mosquito bites a dengue infected person, and sucks a blood from the person, then bites another person, that’s when the virus is carried. I know we have to very vigilant about dengue but to save us from paranoia, keep in mind that, if there is no dengue case in your area, it is very little that a dengue virus is being carried out by mosquitoes on your area.

But if there is a dengue case in your area, you have to be very cautious and of course be very observant with the condition of your kids.

What are the symptoms of Dengue?

• consistent fever
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• bleeding of the gums
• stomach pain and muscle pain

We don’t have to wait for the symptoms, do we? as far as I know or based on reports, there are cases where in when the virus is detected, it is too late to be cured..and I know all of us do not want to hear the term, too late..

So what must we do?

For one, when your child has a fever, make sure that you will only give them doctor recommend medicine, stick with paracetamol such as Biogesic as this is safe for dengue fever. Some meds for fever can actually worsen the case (like Ibufropen or those that targets inflammation).

Water. Water. Water. This will be your cheapest ally. That is why people use Tawa Tawa to treat dengue.

Dengue NS1 or NS1 antigen test (Platelia Dengue NS1 Ag assay) is a test that can detect dengue virus on the first day of fever until 3-5 days. It’s pricey but, we cannot put a price tag on our kid’s safety right? So when you are suspecting dengue, go to your nearest hospital and asked about NS1.

Always remember that this kind of virus targets our immune system so the  best way to fight it is to strengthen our immune system. And during this time where dengue is very rampant, increase your vitamin c intake specially with your kids. Other things that we can do to prevent dengue:

• Dark colored clothing attracts mosquitoes while light colored tend to blind them. As much as possible, put your kids on white pjs.
• Clean your place, dark and messy corners are mosquitoes favorite hiding place and they breed lay eggs on water.
• Use insect repellent, use citronella oils or Mosquito patches.