These days you must be hearing and reading a lot about dengue fever cases in different parts of the country. Images of people being admitted to hospitals are a bit scary, but the good thing is that it is a preventable disease. So rather than simply getting scared, it is better to know more about the disease and how you can safeguard yourself against it.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness, and occurs in tropical and sub-tropical climates, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.

The cause of the spread of dengue is a small insect that we are all familiar with — the mosquito. But not all mosquitoes spread dengue; in fact, only one specie known as Aedes aegypti is the culprit. It has distinct white stripes on its legs; but since it is not possible to easily identify it when it is flying or in the dark, it is better to protect oneself from being bitten by any mosquito.

Interestingly, Aedes aegypti usually bites during the day with the risk being highest during the early morning, several hours after sunrise and before sunset, though it may bite any time of the day. It typically lives indoors and is often found in dark cool places such as in closets, under the beds, behind curtains and in bathrooms.

The virus is transmitted to human beings when bitten by an infected female Aedes mosquito. Mosquitoes generally acquire the virus while feeding on the blood of an infected person. The virus remains in the blood of an infected person for two to seven days; it is approximately the same time that they develop a fever.

The virus has four different types and is caused by one of these at a time, and provides lifetime immunity from only that type.

It is possible that a person may get dengue many times if bitten by mosquito carrying a different type of the dengue virus.

Since there is no vaccine available for dengue as yet, the only way to remain safe is to protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes and to eliminate mosquitoes that spread the disease; and the best way for that is to eliminate its breeding grounds.

Aedes aegypti breeds primarily in containers like earthenware jars, metal drums, etc. used for domestic water storage, as well as discarded plastic food containers, used automobile tyres, trash cans, flower pots and other items that collect rainwater. So, don’t leave any water containers open and make sure that there is no stranded water in or around the house where mosquitoes may breed.

Proper solid waste disposal, improved water storage practices and spraying insecticide are a few methods that can be carried out at the community level.

It would also help to fly proof your house windows and doors, so that mosquitoes cannot enter your house.

When outdoors, wear clothes that fully cover the body, like full pants, full sleeve shirts, socks, etc., and apply generous amounts of mosquito repellent on any exposed areas. While sleeping, even indoors, it is a good practice to use mosquito netting or applying mosquito repellent.

Adopting such preventing measures are most likely to keep you safe, still you have to be careful to watch for any signs and symptoms that you may experience. The most common symptoms include: fever, headache (typically located behind the eyes), exhaustion, muscle and joint pains and skin rash that is similar to measles.

Fever and other symptoms last for two days, after which there is a rapid drop in body temperature with heavy sweating. The temperature remains normal for a day and the persons feels well, after which temperature again rises rapidly; a rash appears along with fever and spreads to cover the entire body except the face, palms and soles which may be bright red and swollen.

Children often experience symptoms similar to those of common cold and gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea), but are more susceptible to the severe complications.

In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into dengue haemorrhagic fever; signs of this include bleeding gums, bleeding in the nose, red palm and soles, easily bruising which are all possible signs of haemorrhage and low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage.

This needs specialised treatment as it is a life-threatening complication. This form of dengue can progress to the most severe form of the illness known as dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.

If a person experiences symptoms similar to that of dengue, it is best to consult a physician who can carry out a check up. The doctor can confirm dengue when a patient shows the typical symptoms of headache, fever, eye pain, severe muscle ache and rash and may need some tests done as it is sometimes difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are quite similar to that of many other viral illnesses.

Dengue is caused by a virus there is no specific medication or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue fever the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms. Always remember that medication should be taken after consultation with a doctor as it may cause more harm than good.

However, not all cases of dengue need hospitalisation; only those who are severely ill need to be hospitalised, the rest can be treated at home.

And in order to guard against this disease, this adage works best: prevention is better than cure.