How To Prevent Dengue: Essential Steps to Avoid Infection

It is important to know how to prevent dengue, especially if you live in one of the hundred countries affected by the disease. People who live in tropical areas are at a higher risk.

Dengue is a viral illness caused by a bite from an infected mosquito called Aedes Aegypti. Symptoms may include high fever, headaches and pains, and sometimes a rash. There are four serotypes of dengue virus. A person who recovers from a particular serotype of dengue may develop immunity to it, but not to the other serotypes.

Mild dengue presents with flu-like symptoms and can be managed supportively with careful hydration and monitoring. Signs of severe dengue include shock, excessive bleeding, and organ damage. Severe dengue is one of the major causes of morbidity and fatality in some parts of Asia and Latin America. Unfortunately, there are no specific medicines to cure dengue. The best way to address dengue is by taking steps to prevent infection.

How to prevent dengue

In an area endemic for dengue, the risk is all year round. But the start of the rainy season is also the peak time for possible dengue outbreaks. It is best to enact steps to prevent dengue, especially during this season.

Keep your place dry and clean

Mosquitos, specifically those who carry the dengue virus, breed and thrive near stagnant water. Discard or cover containers or drain areas that can accumulate water around your home. These include buckets, pots, birdbaths, planters, pools, trash cans, outdoor toys or any items that could hold water.

Throw out empty bottles, old tires, and old water containers that mosquitos are likely to inhabit. Flower vases and water containers inside your house should be scrubbed and refilled with clean water.

Install window and door screens

To keep mosquitos from breeding inside your house, you can install screens on windows and doors. You can also purchase mosquito nets that you can use when you sleep at night for extra protection. You should also cover strollers and cribs with mosquito netting if there are infants or children in the house. Sleep with air conditioning when available.

Wear clothing that covers arms and legs

To avoid mosquito bites, wear clothes that will cover the arms and legs such. Reduced skin exposure will lessen the risk of mosquito bites.

Use insect sprays and bug killers

If there is a high rate of mosquito infestation in your area, you can use bug sprays to help kill mosquitos and other harmful pests inside your home. Make sure you protect yourself from inhaling the insect spray by wearing a mask. When fumigating your home, ask other family members, especially children, pregnant women, elderly, or persons with high-risk health conditions to stay away until the fumes of the spray fade. Wash your hands after using the spray.

Use insect repellents and mosquito patches

For extra protection, apply insect repellent on exposed skin. Remember to read and follow label instructions. Do not apply on the hands, mouth, eyes or irritated skin. Do not apply under clothing. Reapply insect repellent as often as directed. You can also attach mosquito patches on clothes or on nearby items to repel mosquitos.

Make a checklist before traveling

Research the risk of contracting dengue fever in any place you might travel to. Pack a handy first aid kit including insect repellents or bug sprays. Protect yourself from insect bites by packing clothes that will cover exposed skin. Apply insect repellent when needed.

Key takeaway

Dengue virus can infect anyone. With early detection, cases with mild symptoms can be treated. But severe dengue fever cases are considered a medical emergency.

Dengue can be dangerous and even fatal especially to children, elderly, pregnant women, and people with existing health conditions.

You have to take the necessary steps to prevent dengue infection. Make sure you keep your homes clean, dry, and free of breeding sites for mosquitos. If people keep their neighborhoods clean, it may help stop dengue outbreaks from occurring. Protect yourself, your family and the people around you from dengue fever.

Learn more about Infectious Diseases here.