Need to Watch Out for Dengue Fever When Rain Comes

The causes of dengue hemorrhagic fever need to be watched out for by the wider community. Given that cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever are still angry in a number of regions in Indonesia. Following the entry of the rainy season in a number of regions.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever cases mostly occur in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Especially in Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America and South America.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a dengue virus infection transmitted through the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Several factors can trigger an increase in this viral infection, such as high rainfall and weak immune system.

Definition

What is dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a contagious disease caused by the dengue virus carried by the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. 

Signs and symptoms

• What are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever?
• The signs and symptoms of dengue fever may vary from patient to patient, depending on the severity and phase of dengue fever.
• The following are common signs and symptoms of dengue fever:
• Fever up to 40 degrees Celsius
• Headache
• Muscle, bone and joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain behind the eyes
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Skin rash

These symptoms will usually improve within a week. However, there is also the possibility of symptoms progressing to become more severe and life-threatening. These conditions are called severe dengue and dengue shock syndrome.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any of the above signs or symptoms or any other questions, consult your doctor. Always consult a doctor to manage your health condition.

The phases of dengue fever are often called the "Horse Saddle Cycle".

Here are the phases of dengue fever that you need to know:

• Fever phase: a high fever that lasts for 2-7 days, accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle pain and headache.
• Critical phase: after 1 week, the fever will drop. However, DHF patients are at risk of severe bleeding in this phase. This condition usually requires intensive care.
• Healing phase: after the critical phase, the patient will experience fever again. However, this is the healing phase of DHF where platelets slowly rise again.

Risk factors

What increases my risk of getting this disease?

There are many risk factors for getting dengue, namely:

• Living or traveling to an area with a tropical climate
• Being in tropical and subtropical areas increases the risk of getting dengue fever. High risk areas are Southeast Asia, western Pacific Islands, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
• Have a history of dengue fever
• If you have been sick with dengue before, you have a high chance of experiencing more serious symptoms if you are infected again.

Complications

What complications can occur from this disease?

If not treated properly, fatal dengue complications can occur. One of them is dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

DSS does not only cause the usual dengue fever symptoms, but is also accompanied by shock symptoms such as:

• Hypotension (falling blood pressure)
• Difficulty breathing
• Weakened pulse
• Cold sweating
• Dilated pupils
• This condition cannot be cured simply by being left alone. DSS can cause organ failure, which may lead to death.

How is dengue fever treated?

There is no specific treatment for the disease, most patients will usually recover within 2 weeks. However, it is important to treat symptoms appropriately to avoid complications.

Doctors usually recommend the following treatment options for dengue:

1. Fever-reducing medication

Paracetamol is a painkiller that can ease pain and lower fever. Avoid painkillers that can increase bleeding complications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

For more serious cases, dengue can lead to shock or hemorrhagic fever which requires more medical attention.

2. Get plenty of bed rest

People who are experiencing dengue fever are advised to rest. By resting, the patient will recover faster. Rest can help restore damaged body tissues when exposed to this condition.

The doctor will give the patient some drugs to make them sleepy so that they can rest fully.

3. Drink plenty of fluids

Treatment in the hospital using IVs will help DHF patients meet their fluid needs. However, a DHF patient does not always have to be hospitalized. As long as you follow the guidelines, you can treat DHF patients at home.

Doctors will advise patients hospitalized or treated at home to consume lots of fluids. Not only mineral water or infusions, fluids can be from soup, fruit, or juice.

DHF patients must consume fluids to reduce fever and prevent dehydration. Symptoms of dengue fever due to the dengue virus characterized by muscle cramps and headaches due to dehydration can also be treated by drinking plenty of fluids.