Dengue

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The mild dengue stage causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms. The severe form of dengue fever is also called dengue hemorrhagic fever, that can cause serious bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock), and death.

Dengue is on the rise in Pakistan, as floods have brought many diseases and much despair for the victims.

Dr. Essa Laboratory is the best pathological and diagnostic lab nationwide, amid this situation of crisis. The provision of medical expertise and lab facilities by DR. Essa Laboratory in deprived flood-affected areas has brought great help and access to treatment.

In dire moments like these, timely testing, control, and preventive measures should be duly taken, as it becomes gravely important for the whole nation, to come together and promote preventive measures against this disease by bringing forth awareness of Dengue Fever and its symptoms.

Symptoms and Warning Signs for Dengue Fever:

Many people experience no signs or symptoms of dengue fever.

When symptoms do occur, they may be mistaken for other illnesses such as flu, and usually begin after 4 to 10 days of an infected mosquito bite.

Dengue causes a high fever and dehydration, which can cause a life-threatening emergency. The warning signs may include:

• Severe stomach pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Bleeding from your gums or nose
• Blood in your urine, stools, or vomit
• Bleeding under the skin, which might look like bruising
• Difficult or rapid breathing
• Fatigue
• Irritability or restlessness

Other common symptoms of Dengue are:

• Headache
• Muscle, bone, or joint pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain behind the eyes
• Swollen glands
• Rash

If you notice these signs and symptoms, get yourself immediately tested and treated, as ignoring the signs can lead to fatalities.

Most people recover within a week or so. In some cases, symptoms become worse and life-threatening. This is called severe dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever, or dengue shock syndrome.

Severe dengue happens when your blood vessels become damaged and leaky and the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your bloodstream drops. This can lead to shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death.
 Source: mayo clinic.org

Preventive Measures for Dengue:

Prevent Mosquito Bites:

Preventing mosquito bites and controlling the mosquito population are the main methods for preventing the spread of dengue fever.

If you live in or travel to an area where dengue fever is common, these tips may help to reduce your risk of mosquito bites:

Wear protective clothing:

When you go into mosquito-infected areas, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, and shoes.

Use mosquito repellent:

Permethrin can be applied to your clothing, shoes, camping gear, and bed netting. You can also buy clothing made with permethrin already in it. For your skin, use a repellent containing at least a 10% concentration of DEET.

Reduce mosquito habitat:

The mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus typically live in and around houses, breeding in standing water that can collect in such things as used automobile tires. You can help lower mosquito populations by eliminating habitats where they lay their eggs.

Dengue Fever and its cases are immensely rising in Pakistan every day with approximately 14000 cases and numerous fatalities turning the outbreak into a severe endemic. (According to business standard.com)

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