There is a new unhealthy menace in town and it is heading straight for us. Yes, you read that right. It seems that the season of deadly Dengue fever has arrived rather early.
Several cases of those affected by it have been reported from Delhi and regions near it in, months before the monsoons.
Experts are saying that one of the prominent factors behind its untimely arrival include construction work in various parts of the city as well as poor upkeep of curing and overhead tanks in residential areas.
Dengue spreading fast in capital
And even though most of us parents are aware of this present situation, it seems we are not really taking care of our kids. After all, you don't want to those parents who are responsible for letting their kids contract Dengue, do you?
Unfortunately, as many as 24 cases of dengue have been reported in Delhi in the past three months and it is time for parents to be more careful.
We spoke to Dr Amitabh Parti, Additional Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Delhi, to understand the present situation and how parents can tackle this menace immediately.
"As we know Dengue is a tropical disease that originates from four different viruses. Carried by the Aedes egypti mosquito, symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains as well as skin rash. While there is currently no vaccine for dengue, it can be prevented by improving hygiene levels and prevention of mosquito breeding," he shared adding that parents must keep an eye on a few common symptoms of dengue that are easily detectable.
7 detectable symptoms of Dengue
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen glands
- Muscle and joint pain
- Skin rash
- High fever reaching 40°C/ 104°F
Dr Parti also explained that some children may be more susceptible to contracting Dengue because of the following conditions and therefore, parents must be extra-cautious.
- Kids who live in a high-risk zone which has dingy, unclean surroundings with stagnant water that encourages mosquito breeding
- Kids who have been infected with dengue before
- Kids who have low immunity
- Kids who have low platelet count
If you or your family members fall under any of these categories, you must be careful while stepping out and sending your kids out to play. If unfortunately, you feel that the symptoms are pointing towards Dengue, you could take a preliminary test at home.
Dr Parti suggests that you can take the temperature and be mindful of associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting as well as rash and general pain.
Specialised tests and preventive measures
However, if the symptoms still persist you will have to consult a specialist. Now, there are four types of Dengue tests that hospitals usually conduct and these include a complete Blood Count test, ELISA test for dengue NS1 Ag test, PCR for detecting viral DNA and Serum IgG and IgM test.
He also shares* that while the doctors will suggest requisite medication, parents must keep the following in mind
- Make sure all egg-laying habitats of mosquitoes, such as open and stagnant water sources are cleaned up
- If there are any open water sources you cannot eliminate, cover them and apply appropriate insecticides
- Use protections such as window screens, long-sleeved clothes, insecticide-treated materials, coils, vaporizers and repellant creams to avoid being bitten by mosquitos
- A person can suffer from dengue a second time if the viral strain is different from the initial infection. So ensure adequate protection.
Read: Is your kid going to school fully clothed? If not, here's why he should
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[*All quotes attributed to Dr Parti | All images courtesy: Pixabay]
