How to Prevent Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a disease that needs to be watched out for when entering the rainy season. So that you and your family can avoid this disease, you need to know how to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever.
The cause of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is due to infection with the dengue virus that enters the human body through the bite of the aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquitoes can lay eggs and breed in puddles, so many breed during the rainy season.
If dengue hemorrhagic fever is not treated properly, then dengue hemorrhagic fever can cause dangerous complications. Therefore, it is important for you to know how to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever in order to avoid this disease.
Symptoms of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
Transmission of dengue hemorrhagic fever can occur when exposed to the bite of the aedes aegypti mosquito. That's when the dengue virus enters the body. After being infected with the dengue virus for about 4 to 7 days, you will experience the following symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever:
- High fever with body temperature reaching 40 degrees Celsius or more
- Headache, nausea and vomiting
- Muscle, joint and bone pain
- Pain behind the eye
- Feeling tired
- Red rash appears on the skin
For some people who experience symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever which are relatively mild, they often think of them as flu symptoms. Generally, the symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever above last for 10 days, after which it will heal by itself.
In severe cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever, it can cause a drastic decrease in platelets. This condition is dangerous and can potentially lead to complications of bleeding and shock (dengue shock syndrome).
Therefore, if you experience dangerous symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever as mentioned below, you need to be aware of it and immediately see a doctor.
- Nosebleed
- Severe pain in the stomach
- Feeling cold or shivering
- Bleeding gums
- Easy bruising skin
- Hard to breathe
- Vomiting constantly
- Body feels weak
- Defecation or urination with blood
How to Prevent Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
So that you and your family can be protected from viruses and mosquitoes that cause dengue hemorrhagic fever, you can take the following preventive measures:
1. Cleaning places that can become mosquito nests
To prevent the spread of dengue hemorrhagic fever, we need to clean places that can become mosquito nests. For example, cleaning water reservoirs, such as bathroom tubs, fish ponds, and flower vases, closing water containers, and recycling used items that have the potential to become mosquito nests.
2. Installing mosquito nets and screens
Mosquito nets and screens can prevent mosquitoes that are outside the house from entering the house. So installing mosquito nets on beds and screens on doors and windows can be a way to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever. In addition, so that mosquitoes cannot enter your house, you can close all the holes in the windows and doors of the house.
3. Turn on the air conditioner or fan
Some research shows that the flow of air from air conditioners or fans can prevent mosquitoes from flying close to the body.
In addition, when they want to bite the skin, mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus can detect scents on the body. The use of air conditioners or fans is believed to be able to spread the aroma of the body throughout the room, so that mosquitoes will be confused to find the scent on the real body.
4. Wearing closed clothes
To prevent mosquito bites, you can also wear closed clothing, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and socks when you are outdoors. So that you don't feel hot, make sure you choose clothes with materials that can absorb sweat.
5. Using mosquito repellent
To prevent mosquito bites with dengue fever, you can also use topical or spray mosquito repellent. However, make sure you choose to use insect repellent that contains safe chemicals, such as picaridin, DEET, or IR3535.
If you want to use natural ingredients, you can use eucalyptus oil or essential oils made from lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, or lemon.
6. Consuming vitamin C
In addition to doing the various ways above, so that you are not easily infected with the dengue virus, you also need to strengthen your immune system. This immune system can be strengthened by consuming vitamin C which is found in fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, strawberries, guava, kiwi, tomatoes, broccoli, and spinach or you can also take vitamin C supplements.
In addition to consuming vitamin C, to strengthen the immune system, you are also advised to live a healthy lifestyle, including eating foods that are high in nutrition, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest.
Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, it is recommended that you practice how to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever above. If you feel the symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever, then immediately go to the doctor or the nearest hospital to get the right treatment.
