Malaysia may be grappling with five figure Covid-19 cases on a daily basis,. But with the weather getting warmer and wetter - an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes, there is another threat to beware of: dengue fever. Reports have shown a rise in dengue cases in recent weeks, particularly in Klang district.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can have potentially lethal complications if not given proper medical care. We answer some of the questions you may have about dengue to help you to better understand and take the right steps to protect yourself against the disease.
How does dengue fever spread?
Transmitted through the bite of striped female Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue fever cannot spread directly from person to person, but a person suffering from dengue fever can infect mosquitoes.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
Symptoms of dengue fever typically emerge four to seven days after an individual is bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include:
high fever
headache
muscle and joint aches
eye pain
vomiting
diarrhoea
nausea
When warning signs of severe dengue such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, vomiting blood, rapid breathing are present, it is essential to seek emergency medical care at the hospital immediately. So eliminate any possible breeding locations in your home, such as watering cans, buckets, and clogged drains.
Other actions you can take to reduce the chances of getting bitten are by wearing long pants, long sleeved shirts, socks, using a mosquito repellent, and installing window screens or nettings.
How to care for a family member with dengue fever?
Mild cases of dengue fever can be managed at home. Prevent dehydration by drinking with plenty of water, ensure that the patient rests as much as possible, and control fever and relieve pain with paracetamol.
Efforts should also be made to keep the infected person from being bitten by mosquitoes, as an infected mosquito can later transmit that virus to healthy people by biting them.
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