T here were 67 deaths due to dengue in the country from January to February alone, according to the Department of Health (DoH). With this number, it is crucial to put spotlight on the Dengue Awareness Month, held every June to highlight the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration among the government, civil society, and private sector in the prevention and control of dengue. Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which are active during daytime.
Most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms and will get better in one to two weeks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). If symptoms occur, they usually begin four to 10 days after infection and last for two to seven days. Symptoms may include high fever (40°C), a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and a rash.
According to the WHO, it’s important for people who develop dengue to rest; drink plenty of liquids; take acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain; avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen and aspirin; and watch for severe symptoms and seek medical care as soon as possible if such symptoms develop. In rare cases, dengue can be severe and lead to death, the WHO warns. Individuals who are infected for a second time are at greater risk of severe dengue.
Severe dengue symptoms often come after the fever has gone away. These include sever.
