DENGUEE DANK : HOW TO SAVE YOUR SELF

DENGUE ; HOW TO FIGHT 

Dengue is one of the common diseases caused by mosquitoes during the monsoons. Also known as ‘break bone fever’, these mosquitoes bite during the day. As the common breeding grounds for mosquitoes are man made containers and stagnant water, implementing few hygiene and sanitation measures might help to prevent the disease.

Dengue is caused due to the bite of an infected female aedes aegypti mosquito, the disease can be fatal. Once bitten , it takes about four to ten days for the symptoms to show. The most common symptoms are –

• High fever,
• Severe headache,
• Pain behind the eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swollen glands
• Muscle and joint pain
• Skin rash (in some cases)

The more severe forms of dengue are hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. There is no clear treatment for them nor any vaccine, so the best way is to protect your self.

 

Suggested way for protection -

·       Remove all unnecessary containers which can have standing water, If they cannot be emptied/ thrown , cover them ,when not in use.

·       Remember to clean out empty flower pots and make sure no stagnant water around them as they will acts as breeding ground for the mosquitoes.

·       Apply mosquito repellents on all exposed areas, during the day as well as at night on a regular basis to prevent dengue.

·       Make sure your window and door screens do not have any holes. If so, block those areas properly to eliminate mosquitoes entry from out side .

·        If someone at home is ill with dengue, try to isolate him for min4-5 days .

·       Always sleep under a mosquito net (especially new born and small children as they sleep during the day and hence, the chance of mosquito  bite are high).

·       If you use a cooler remember to empty out and clean the water tray regularly.

·       Always cover your trash can or dustbin when not in use.

·       A natural method to keep mosquitoes at bay is to plant tulsi near your window. The plant has properties that do not allow mosquitoes to breed.

·        Using camphor as a repellent also works wonders. Light camphor in a room and close all the doors and windows. Leave it this way for about fifteen to twenty minutes to have a mosquito free environment.