As of June 2022, there are more than 18,000 dengue cases reported between January and June 2022 according to Ministry of Health’s report. Since 2020, COVID-19 pandemic is ranging, and this causes the public might be not aware dengue can be one of the silent killers as well. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue. Approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue. 

What is Dengue and Causes? 

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease read to people through bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito and usually is transmitted by female mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are also vectors of Chikungunya and Zika viruses. Dengue can cause a wide spectrum of diseases and it can range from subclinical disease to severe flu-like symptoms disease. 

Symptoms of Dengue if You are Diagnosed 

If you have been bitten by infected mosquitoes and diagnosed with dengue, the most common symptom of dengue is fever. Other than fever, you will experience body aches typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain, followed by nausea, vomiting, and rashes. These symptoms typically last for 2 to 7 days depending on the individual.  

However, in some cases, symptoms can be worsened and become life-threatening so-called severe dengue. Severe dengue usually happens when the patient's blood vessels become damaged and the number of clot-forming cells in the bloodstream drops. This can lead to shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death.  

Treatments & Precautions 

There is no specific treatment for dengue at this moment. All you can do is rest, stay hydrated, and monitor closely your symptoms before it turns into severe dengue. Depending on the patient’s condition, some of them may be sent home, or referred for in-hospital management. While the best treatment option for dengue could be fever reducers such as paracetamol to relieve the symptoms.  

There are a few common and effective ways to prevent dengue. First, prevent mosquito breeding by cleaning or covering up all the potential egg-laying habitats for mosquitoes, for example, empty flowerpots or water tanks that are placed outdoors. Other than that, do some personal protection from mosquito bites such as applying mosquito repellent and wearing cover clothes. Remember, prevention is always better than cure! 

Conclusions 

Dengue can be common or sometimes life-threatening as well. Seek immediate medical advice if you think you have been diagnosed with dengue, or if any symptoms develop. Never underestimate the lethality of a mosquito and do early precautions if you can.