Brilio.net - Dengue fever, a type of disease that often attacks residents of tropical areas, including Indonesia. This disease is transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes infected with the dengue virus. The symptoms are not much different from flu, namely high fever and feeling unwell.
The bite of a mosquito that carries this virus is the first time a patient suffers from dengue fever. The virus then multiplies in the body and triggers various disturbing symptoms.
Therefore, it is necessary to be alert to mosquito bites. You can also take preventative steps such as eradicating mosquito nests, using mosquito nets, and using mosquito repellent to break the chain of transmission of dengue fever.
The reason is, there are several factors that influence the emergence of dengue fever. These include a person's low immunity, the density of mosquito larvae or the aegypti mosquito population which is found in abundance, especially in the rainy season.
Apart from that, the emergence of mosquito larvae is also due to standing water in certain places such as used tires, used cans, water gutters, used bottles, used glasses, tree holes, bamboo, leaf midribs and so on.
Therefore, to prevent dengue fever, you need to keep your house and surroundings clean. So, to be more aware of dengue fever, you need to know the characteristics of dengue fever and how to deal with it.
Immediately, here are 6 characteristics of dengue fever in adults and tips for preventing it, reported by brilio.net from various sources, Thursday (16/5)
Characteristics of dengue fever in adults.
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Dengue fever (DHF) in adults can show various symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. The following are some general characteristics of dengue fever in adults:
Initial symptoms:
1. High fever, dengue sufferers generally have a body temperature of 40C or more, lasting 2-7 days.
2. Headache, usually feels heavy and annoying. This pain can interfere with daily activities.
3. Muscle and joint pain, often the pain can be felt throughout the body or only in a few areas.
4. Skin rashes. It is possible that red spots or rashes may appear in dengue fever which can spread throughout the body.
5. Nausea and vomiting, these symptoms can occur several times a day.
6. Diarrhea, in some cases, mild diarrhea can occur.
More severe symptoms (Bloody Dengue):
1. Red spots or bruises on the skin, namely the appearance of small red spots or spontaneous bruising without an obvious cause.
2. Nosebleeds, some also experience spontaneous bleeding from the nose.
3. Gum bleeding, dengue fever sufferers make their gums bleed easily when brushing their teeth or eating.
4. Vomiting blood, vomit containing red or brownish blood.
5. Stomach pain, not just vomiting but also severe pain in the upper or lower stomach.
6. Black feces, dengue sufferers have dark black feces or resemble tar, indicating bleeding in the digestive tract.
7. Difficulty breathing, where you feel short of breath or breathe quickly, which indicates a buildup of fluid in the lungs.
Tips to prevent dengue fever.
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Dengue fever (DHF) is a disease that can be fatal if not treated properly. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent it. Here are some important steps you can take:
1. Do 3M plus.
- Drain the water tank.
Empty water storage areas, such as bathtubs, drums and water towers, at least every week. Make sure there is no stagnant water around the house.
- Closing.
Close the water reservoir tightly, such as using a tub or plastic lid.
- Sucking.
Clean water storage containers, such as bathtubs, from moss and dirt.
- Pluses:
a. Reusing used goods.
Turn used items that can hold water, such as old tires, plastic bottles and cans, into other useful items. Make sure not to stack these items because they can become mosquito nests.
b. Use a mosquito net when sleeping, especially in areas prone to dengue fever. Additionally, use mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
c. Wear long sleeves and trousers when doing outdoor activities, especially in the morning and evening.
d. Keep fish that eat mosquito larvae, such as betta fish or goldfish fry. And work together to clean the surrounding environment to prevent the growth of mosquito larvae.
2. Maintain a clean environment:
Avoid throwing rubbish carelessly, especially in places that can collect water. Make sure there are no puddles of water around the house, so that no fungal larvae can reproduce. For maximum protection, don't forget to use wire mesh on the ventilation holes and windows of the house.
3. Dengue vaccination.
Dengue vaccination can help increase the body's immunity against the dengue virus. This vaccine is available in several countries, including Indonesia. Consult your doctor to find out whether you need to get a dengue vaccination or not.
4. Consult a doctor.
If you experience symptoms of dengue fever, such as high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, skin rash, nausea and vomiting, immediately consult a doctor. The sooner you get a diagnosis and treatment, the greater your chances of recovery.