Becomes the most common insect- borne viral disease in the world
RAWALPINDI: Dengue has become the most common insect- borne viral disease in the world. It is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
It begins suddenly with influenza like symptoms with high-grade fever ranging from 102 to 105°F, for two to seven days. The patient may also experience listlessness, retro-orbital pain and headache. Severe muscle and joint pain can also occur. Enlarged lymph nodes, facial flushing, a maculopapular rash and leukopenia are also common symptoms. This can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Diagnosis can be made by detecting the dengue virus or rise in antibody titer in blood. The decrease in white blood cell count and a very rapid decrease in platelet count are also suggestive of dengue fever. Doctor can perform the tourniquet test. This test is performed by inflating a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm to midway between diastolic and systolic blood pressures for 5 minutes. The results are considered to be positive if more than 20 petechiae per square inch are observed on the skin in the area that was under pressure. Other hemorrhagic manifestations include nasal or gingival bleeding, melena, hematemesis and menorrhagia.
Treatment includes get lots of bed rest, drink a lot of fluids, take medicines to control fever. Acetaminophen is recommended for the control of fever and other symptoms and avoid aspirin as it can worsen the bleeding. The disease can be prevented by using insecticides and draining stagnant water that serves as the breeding place for the mosquitoes. Personal protection includes using mosquito repellent, net around the beds and wearing clothing that covers the entire body.
The government should undertake anti-mosquito sprays in both urban and rural areas to contain the spread of disease.
Faizan Ahmad Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2019.
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