Dengue Red Alert!
What to do and not to do when bitten by those pesky mosquitoes
What to do and not to do when bitten by those pesky
Awhopping 98,179 dengue cases and 428 deaths from all over the country have been reported by the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau from Jan. 1 to June 22.
This is alarmingly higher than the number of reported cases within the same period last year.
The dengue virus is transmitted by a female mosquito of the Aedes Aegypti. This specie is also the culprit behind the transmission of Chikungunya, yellow fever, and
Zika viruses. A person may begin to show signs and symptoms of infection within four to six days. Dengue is a serious, painful, and debilitating condition. An individual with this infection will experience high fever, severe headache, severe joint and muscle pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and skin rash or petechiae, and bleeding or bruising. Milder symptoms of dengue can be mistaken for flu.
Individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weak immune system, as well as, those who have previously been infected with the dengue
virus are at a greater risk of developing complications. This is known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. Bleeding, damage to body organs, and even death may occur.
The best way to defeat dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing clothes that cover most of your body, cleaning your surroundings especially where there is stagnant water, using mosquito repellents, and ensuring that doors and windows are kept closed.
As much as we want to prevent those dreaded infected mosquito bites, there are unfortunate incidences of dengue infection. What can be done to facilitate recovery? Since dengue is a viral infection, an individual’s immune system is vital in healing. It is important to boost the immune system by getting a lot of rest, being properly nourished, and well hydrated.
Nutrition plays an important role in recovery. A patient may not have enough energy and appetite to eat. Caregivers must give foods that are soft, easy to swallow, and has high water content. An example would be porridge, congee, or chicken arroz
100 percent fruit juices which are high in vitamin C will not only boost the immune system but also promote hydration.
Since hemorrhage or bleeding can occur with this condition, iron supplements and dark-colored foods such as chocolate, cola drinks, and the like must be avoided as these can turn the stool black. This may lead to a false diagnosis of bleeding. Black stool is a sign of bleeding.
Platelets, which contribute blood component, tend to decrease during the period of infection. Platelets prevent bleeding. Foods that are high in folate, such as green leafy vegetables like our local malunggay, broccoli, spinach, and even wheatgrass juice will help in the body’s platelet production to improve blood clotting.
Lean protein such as fish, eggs, and chicken will help boost the patient’s immunity. Add these protein sources to soups and porridge. Small and frequent feedings will be well tolerated as compared to large meals.
If you have signs and symptoms of dengue infection, do not delay seekbetter ing medical help. It is always to be safe than sorry.
The best way to defeat dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing clothes that cover most of your body, cleaning your surroundings especially where there is stagnant water, using mosquito repellents, and ensuring that doors and windows are kept closed.