Dengue-carrying Aedes mosquitoes are on the rise in the capital. Along with that, the number of people infected and dead due to dengue fever is increasing. Modern medical science is capable of curing other mosquito-borne diseases but unable to cure the deadly dengue. No one but the sufferer can understand how worried a parent is when they see a child suffering from dengue. So the fear of dengue is very high.
Dengue mosquito or Aedes mosquito is very difficult to see with the naked eye. Dengue mosquito is so dangerous that its bite causes fever with severe tremors. Does not want to leave the fever immediately. Gradually man moves towards death. It may seem that dengue mosquitoes carry the virus. For example, poisonous snakes contain poison. But that is not the reality. Mosquitoes themselves do not carry any germs. It’s just a carrier. The diseased person collects the germs by biting the body and spreads it to others.
Dengue virus is characterized by the fact that it is a single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genera Flaviviridae and Flavivirus. Similarity of this virus to the viruses of both Western Nile and Yellow fever diseases can be observed. The genome of the virus contains about 11,000 nucleotide bases. Its code contains three types of molecules—C, M, and E. With the help of protein-E or envelope protein, the bacterium gets a chance to stick to the infected person’s body cells.
Four serotypes of the dengue virus have been identified. Each of these is capable of creating a complete picture of the disease. These are named Den-1, Den-2, Den-3, Den-4. After recovering from the type or types of virus that a person is infected with, the person will acquire life-long immunity against that type of virus and only temporary immunity against other types. So once someone is infected with one type of dengue virus, there is a risk of being infected again by another type or the next time. Therefore, dengue fever may recur during life, but with different types. However, the severity of the disease is much higher in the case of multiple types or the second time.
Several species of female Aedes mosquitoes carry the dengue virus, of which Aedes aegypti is the main one. When this female mosquito drinks the blood of a person with dengue fever, the dengue germs multiply in the mosquito’s body and settle in the salivary glands. Later, when the mosquito bites a healthy person, the dengue virus enters the body through the person’s skin.
Aedes mosquito has striped spots on its body, so it is also called ‘tiger mosquito’. This mosquito breeds rapidly in clear frozen water of four to five days and prefers to lay eggs in artificial reservoirs, live near humans and drink blood.
Aedes mosquitoes bite mainly during the day, a few hours before sunrise and an hour before sunset. The same mosquito also carries yellow fever, Zika virus, Chikungunya virus.
Symptoms usually appear within four to seven days (minimum 3 to maximum 14 days) after the virus enters the body. This period is called ‘incubation period’. Symptoms may last up to 10 days. In 80 percent of cases, people infected with dengue are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms such as a common fever.
In the first seven days, PCR, viral antigen detection can almost accurately detect the disease. Ig antibodies are produced five to seven days after fever and detection of these antibodies in serology tests along with symptoms is considered diagnostic.
Continuity of disease
First 1-5 days: Sudden onset of high fever, which may rise to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Tremors in the body, severe headache, pain behind the eyeballs. Another name for this disease is ‘break bone fever’ or break bone fever due to severe pain in joints or joints and muscles. The term was first used by physicist Benjamin Rush in 1780. Other symptoms are fatigue, nausea, vomiting. A red rash appears on the skin on the first or second day of symptoms or a measles-like rash occurs four to seven days after illness.
5-7 days: Dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome (which occurs in 5 percent of cases) may occur after 5 to 7 days. Bleeding from the nose and gums may occur at this time. Body temperature decreases. It is classified into four subtypes according to the severity of the disease.
A. Grade-1: No signs of bleeding, only a positive tourniquet test (increased pressure with a sphygmomanometer shows pooling of blood in the skin).
b. Grade-2: Bleeding from nose, gums, teeth, stool.
c. Grade-3: Pulse is weak and heart rate is fast. Blood pressure is dangerously low. Low pulse pressure.
d. Grade-4: Blood pressure and pulse are not available. The patient goes into shock.
Note that grade-1 and grade-2 are dengue hemorrhagic fever or DHF and grade-3 and grade-4 dengue shock syndrome.
Laboratory tests for dengue fever
In the first seven days, PCR, viral antigen detection can almost accurately detect the disease. Ig antibodies are produced five to seven days after fever and detection of these antibodies in serology tests along with symptoms is considered diagnostic.
A complication of dengue fever is a decrease in blood platelets or platelets. The normal range of hemoglobin in blood is 150,000 to 250,000 per milliliter. It decreases rapidly in dengue fever. If it is at 20,000 per milliliter, the patient is at risk of serious complications. But as the patient’s condition improves, the number of cells increases exponentially within two to four days.
Increased value of hematocrit in blood is also bad. It occurs because the blood plasma is released through the blood vessels and out into the tissues. Apart from this, problems like decrease in white blood cells, decrease in albumin value are observed. Capillary leakage can cause water retention in the chest and abdomen.
Medical management
There is no specific medicine for dengue fever. Most common dengue patients recover within two to seven days. About 85 percent of dengue fevers are mild and can be treated at home. For example, paracetamol should be taken to reduce fever. Aspirin or similar drugs should never be used to treat fever. It increases the risk of bleeding. One should take full rest, drink more liquid food and drink.
However, if dengue hemorrhagic fever is suspected, a doctor should be consulted. If the patient feels more ill, especially after 24 hours after the complete disappearance of fever, hospitalization should be done immediately. Blood or plasma should be transfused if necessary. Antibiotics or steroids usually have no role in dengue fever. Dengue shock syndrome requires special treatment in an intensive care unit.
A dengue vaccine is being used as a trial in some countries. But no approved vaccine is yet on the market. Health scientists are trying to develop an effective standard vaccine against the four serotypes of dengue.
As there is still no vaccine, and no effective antiviral, the main way to prevent dengue globally is to protect people or populations living or traveling to tropical areas from being bitten by Aedes mosquitoes. Extensive social awareness measures are more important in this regard.
Preventing mosquito breeding by destroying mosquito habitats. Keeping an eye on the water stuck in flower tubs, cans, cans, car tires, air coolers, holes, roofs etc.
Use of insecticides at mosquito breeding sites and indoor mosquito repellents.
Wear clothing that covers hands and feet to avoid mosquito bites when going outside. Dress the child in light colored full shirt, full pant and socks. Sleeping with mosquito net during the day.
If one member of the family is infected with dengue, the risk of others becoming infected increases. The use of mosquito nets is important for infected people, so that a sick person cannot be bitten by a mosquito that can bite a healthy person. Dengue is not contagious or spread from person to person. However, dengue can also be transmitted through blood transfusions and organ donation.
Doctors always say to eat vegetables and fruits in dengue fever. During this time, you will get energy by eating some special fruit juice. Simple foods rich in carbohydrates, protein and vitamin C cannot be stopped. Practice healthy home-cooked meals. Drink plenty of fluids. For example, canned water, dragon fruit, lemon juice, vegetable juice, papaya leaf juice, turmeric, amlaki juice, chicken soup, herbal tea, fruit juice and food saline can be taken.
(Dhaka Times/November 24/RZ)
Source: www.dhakatimes24.com
