Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) seems to belook'subscribed' disease in rainy season. To protect your family from this disease, keknowi before the factshis and do prevention DHF in an effective way.
So far, many people think that dengue fever is caused by mosquitoes Aedes aegypti. In fact, this mosquito only acts as an intermediary. The real cause is the dengue virus which is carried by mosquitoes and enters the human body through bites.
In tropical countries, such as Indonesia, dengue fever is very easy to spread. Especially during the rainy season, where the environmental conditions are very supportive for mosquito breeding.
When infected with the dengue virus, a person may experience mild symptoms, or even no symptoms at all. However, dengue fever still needs to be watched out for because it can cause severe symptoms, such as bleeding. If left untreated, this condition can lead to death.
Dengue Facts
In order to be more aware of dengue fever, you first need to know the correct information about this disease. Here are some facts related to dengue fever that are important to know:
- Based on data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the number of dengue cases until early February 2019 reached 16,692 cases with 169 people dying. This number increased compared to the previous month, which was 13,683 cases with 133 people died.
- The most cases of DHF in Indonesia are in East Java, Central Java, NTT, and Kupang.
- Symptoms of DHF do not appear immediately, but take 4-10 days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the dengue virus.
- The most common symptom of dengue fever is a high fever of up to 40 degrees Celsius, accompanied by chills and sweats. In addition, other symptoms that usually occur are headaches, bone and muscle pain, nausea, the appearance of red spots on the skin, to bleeding in the nose and gums.
- Red spots that appear on the surface of the skin is a sign of bleeding on the skin due to a decrease in platelets (platelets).
- DHF can develop into a severe condition and is an emergency, which is called dengue fever Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, changes in body temperature from fever to cold (hypothermia), and slowing of the heart rate.
- DHF is at risk of causing death when the sufferer goes into shock due to bleeding.
- Until now, there is no specific drug to cure dengue fever. Drug administration is only intended to reduce symptoms of fever and pain, and prevent complications. In addition, DHF sufferers are advised to get plenty of rest and drink enough to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Dengue Fever Prevention
Don't think it's a mosquito Aedes aegypti prefers to nest in dirty or unkempt places. These mosquitoes actually prefer to nest in clean water that is left standing.
Therefore, draining puddles of water, closing and draining clean water reservoirs, and burying used goods so they don't become mosquito nests are the main steps to prevent dengue. In addition, DHF can also be prevented in the following ways:
- Maintain the cleanliness of the home environment on a regular basis, especially water reservoirs.
- Using insect repellent, be it spray, burning, or electric mosquito repellent, in the morning and evening.
- Apply mosquito repellent lotion.
- Install mosquito netting in every window or air vent, so that mosquitoes do not enter the house.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside the home.
- Do not hang clothes in the room, because it can be a place for mosquitoes to hide.
- Get the dengue vaccine.
Eradicating mosquito nests and preventing mosquito bites are still the main steps to protect yourself from dengue fever. To be more effective, coordinate with environmental management to carry out fogging, to eradicate mosquitoes in the residential area where you live.
