Dengue fever can be avoided by taking prevention against the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes. The Department of Infectious Disease, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) gives protection tips and symptoms to look out for.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
Dengue fever is an illness caused by the dengue virus, transmittable only through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Unfortunately, the Aedes mosquito is one of the most common types of mosquito found in Singapore, and the dengue fever epidemic remains a perennial issue.
Dengue symptoms include a fever (which can last up to 7 days), accompanied by intense headache, body aches, joint pains, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes. Complete recovery can take up to a month, explains Dr Jenny Low, Senior Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever, a more severe form of dengue, has similar symptoms. However, it presents with more serious bleeding problems (e.g. gum bleeding, nose bleeding and bleeding into the skin and internal organs). If left untreated, dengue haemorrhagic fever can be fatal.
When should you get checked for dengue fever?
If you suspect that you or a loved one has contracted dengue, visit your GP, rest and drink plenty of fluids. For the safety of others, you should also stay away from places where you are likely to get bitten by mosquitoes (which would then spread the viral infection).
Go to the hospital only if you suffer from severe stomach pain and persistent vomiting as these are symptoms of more serious dengue haemorrhagic fever.
There is no dengue fever vaccine yet in Singapore. However, researchers from the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School (Duke-NUS) began clinical trials for a new drug to treat dengue fever in mid-July 2012.
How can you protect yourself from dengue fever?
With no vaccine nor treatment currently available for dengue fever, the best protection against dengue is to help prevent the breeding of the Aedes mosquito. To do so, you need to make it a habit to get rid of stagnant water in and around your home.
Helping to raise public awareness, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has developed a quick “10-minute 5-step Mozzie Wipe-out” routine to keep homes free of any Aedes mosquito. The steps are:
- Change water in vases/bowls on alternate days
- Turn over all water storage containers
- Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use
- Clear blockages and put BTI insecticide in roof gutters monthly
- Remove water from flower pot plates on alternate days
In addition, as the Aedes mosquito only feeds during the day, you can apply insect repellent over exposed parts of the body. For added protection, you can also spray insecticide in dark corners of your home such as under the bed and sofa, and behind curtains.
The NEA and other government agencies have also stepped up dengue prevention efforts nationwide. They are targeting areas where dengue has been circulating, installing Gravitraps to monitor and trap the adult mosquito population, and visiting homes to check for Aedes mosquito breeding spots.
When it comes to dengue, for now it appears that prevention is the only cure.
Click on page 2 for the latest updates on dengue outbreak in Singapore and the world.
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