The rainy season brings dengue in its wake. Dengue fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. It is the fastest-growing mosquito-borne viral infection in the world. Around 2.5% of people affected by severe dengue die from the disease. There is no cure for the infection. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. Dengue fever can, in some cases, be life-threatening. Severe dengue causes abdominal pain and vomiting, breathing difficulties and a decrease in blood platelets that can lead to internal bleeding.

4 things you must know about dengue

• Dengue virus has four serotypes (DENV1, DENV2, DENV3 and DENV4)
• First infection with one of the four serotypes usually is non-severe or asymptomatic, while second infection with one of other serotypes may cause severe dengue.
• Dengue has no treatment but the disease can be early managed.
• Dengue virus is transmitted by day biting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

How to prevent dengue

1. Keep your house clean and tidy.
2. Do not leave stagnant water lying anywhere in or around the house. It’s very dangerous as these misquotes lie on this stagnant water only, it doesn’t matter if it is dirty or clean.
3. Spray anti-mosquito sprays, like Kala Hit, every day in the corners of your home to kill the hidden mosquitoes.
4. Keep your wet garbage separate and throw in a wet bin (which is kept covered).
5. In the rains, the chances of you getting infected by the dengue are extremely high due to the increased level of stagnant fresh water and you must observe all measures of safety.
6. Try to wear clothes that don’t leave any skin areas exposed.
7. Wear a mosquito repellent cream and carry it with you at all times.
8. Keep the doors and windows of the house closed, mostly early in the morning and during the evening.
9. Change your hand towels after a day’s use.
10. Keep your wet and soggy clothes and shoes away from the dry garments. Also, try to dry the wet ones as soon as possible.
11. It’s not only about our homes, we need to keep our area and city both clean. Whereever you find gutters which are not being cleaned, find some solution for it. Take it up to your local residence welfare association or community head.

Stay safe.