The first half of 2009 witnessed the rise of dengue cases in the country.  According to the Department of Health (DoH), the dreaded disease has taken about 104 lives and affected around 10,000 others. But although the numbers are significantly lower than last year’s figures for the same period (from 18,966 to 10,383), DoH still wants the country to remain cautious.

Dengue: now a year-round disease

“The occurrence and spread of dengue are now not only confined to the known wet and rainy months of the year anymore because in some parts of the country, rain comes even during the dry season and summer time,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III explained. “Hence, the possibility of having more breeding grounds than the usual is high and very likely. And we all know what could happen next: the inevitable increase of dengue cases.” As such, DoH is working harder to arm the public with the right information.

Dealing with dengue

DoH stresses the importance of the 4-S Campaign against dengue:

Search and destroy possible breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes like old tires, broken vases and bottle caps;

Wear long sleeve shirts and pants for self-protection;

Seek health professionals for fever that lasts for two days or more; and

Say no to indiscriminate fogging as this only drives out the mosquitoes to other areas.

About dengue

Dengue is a viral disease carried by a day-biting mosquito named Aedes aegypti. This kind of mosquito usually thrives and breeds in clear but stagnant water.

The symptoms of dengue include high, continuous fever lasting for 2-7 days, nausea / vomiting, abdominal pain, body weakness, bleeding tendencies from nose and gums, red spots or rashes, joint or muscle pain, vomiting of coffee-colored matter and
dark-colored stools. Left untreated, this could lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), causing internal and external bleeding. This is usually followed by the body going into shock. It can be fatal.

Rest, lots of fluid intake and paracetamol usually alleviate the early symptoms of dengue. However, the patient must be observed and brought to the hospital should symptoms persist.