Dengue cases have risen even before the monsoon this year because of climate change, irregular rainfall, humid weather and unplanned urbanisation. With Aedes mosquitoes breeding in standing clean water, the number of people infected is rising every day.
How it spreads
The dengue virus is spread by the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The disease spreads when a mosquito that has bitten an infected person then bites a healthy one.
Symptoms
Sudden or irregular fever, body ache, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, pain in the eyes, reduced urination, weakness, a fall in blood pressure and a drop in platelets can all be symptoms of dengue. Because there is often no rash or severe body ache, patients sometimes take it for an ordinary fever and delay treatment, which can lead to serious complications.
Treatment
There is no specific medicine for dengue. On a doctor’s advice, patients should rest, take enough water and fluid foods, and take only paracetamol for fever. Painkillers must be avoided. Anyone who has bleeding, severe abdominal pain, excessive vomiting, reduced urination or extreme weakness should go to hospital quickly.
Tests
An NS-1 antigen test can be done within the first one to two days of fever, and an antibody test after four to six days. A CBC and platelet count are usually sufficient. There is no need for repeated platelet tests without reason.
Platelets and blood
A fall in platelets alone does not mean platelets or blood are needed. They are needed only where there is bleeding or on a doctor’s specific advice.
Prevention is the best way
The effective way to prevent dengue is to stop Aedes mosquitoes breeding. Standing clean water around homes must be removed, cleanliness maintained regularly, mosquito nets used and measures taken to control mosquitoes.
Remember
Dengue is not contagious; it does not spread through contact with an infected person. Do not ignore a fever — seek a doctor’s advice quickly and have the necessary tests. Most patients recover if the disease is identified and treated in time. Awareness is the greatest weapon against dengue.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report