That fatal little bite
Keeping young children free of mosquito and insect bites should be a priority for all parents, writes Meera Murugesan
2. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A MOSQUITO-BORNE INFECTION?
Fever for more than three days, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and rashes.
3. IS DENGUE THE MOST SERIOUS
AND MOST COMMON OF THESE ILLNESSES?
The early sign of dengue in children is a high grade fever. Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne disease as it is an urban disease. It is a serious disease as it can be fatal.
4. WHAT ARE THE EARLY SIGNS OF DENGUE IN A CHILD?
Fever for more than three days, poor appetite, less active and generally becoming more tired, vomiting and abdominal pain.
5. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE STEPS PARENTS CAN TAKE TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES AND AVOID DENGUE IN THEIR CHILDREN?
Ensure cleanliness of your surrounding Mosquito repellents can be used in children aged more than one year old. area, remove and get rid of empty containers that hold water which can be a breeding spot for mosquitos. Remove pools of stagnant water around the house such as flowerpots, in gutters and do not allow children to play outside in the late evening as that’s the peak time for mosquitoes.
Always make sure they wear proper clothing when playing outdoors — clothes that cover arms and legs, and are lightcoloured.
Of course, in view of our hot weather, it is sometimes impossible to wear longsleeved shirts and pants. Therefore, the use of mosquito repellents would be a better way to prevent mosquito or insect bites.
6. HOW EFFECTIVE ARE INSECT OR MOSQUITO REPELLANTS SOLD IN STORES? ARE THEY ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES ON A CHILD?
The mosquito repellents available are usually effective in preventing mosquito bites and should be adequate to prevent mosquito bites. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. 7. ARE THESE REPELLANTS SAFE FOR USE ON CHILDREN?
Mosquito repellents can be used on children aged more than a year old. However, for children with sensitive skin, mosquito repellents must be used with extra caution and it is better to consult your doctor before using them. For children with sensitive skin, mosquito repellent can be applied on their clothes instead of directly onto the skin.
8. BESIDES MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES, CAN INSECT BITES IN GENERAL LEAD TO ALLERGIES OR OTHER COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN?
Yes, other insects can also lead to allergic or local reactions.
9. WHAT KINDS OF INSECTS CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS?
Bees, hornets, wasps and ants like fire ants. 10. HOW CAN A PARENT IDENTIFY AN ALLERGIC REACTION?
Reaction from insect bites includes pain and redness, swelling, flushing, hives, multiple swelling and redness on the skin, and anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction. The last can cause swelling of the vocal chords and narrowing of the airways, resulting in a hoarse voice and difficulty in breathing.