About the Dengue

Dengue also known as Breakbone Fever has been called the most important mosquito-transmitted viral disease in terms of morbidity and mortality. The mosquito mainly breeds in fresh water stored in uncovered container. It lives in dwelling and bites during the day. Dengue fever is a benign acute febrile syndrome occurring in tropical regions. In a small proportion of cases, the virus causes increased vascular permeability that leads to a bleeding diathesis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) (Source: Internet).

In simple terms, it occurs through a bite of a mosquito which has bit another person carrying the dengue virus, this mosquito act as a carrier.

There are three types of Dengue fever
a) Classical Dengue
b) Dengue haemorrhagic fever
c) Dengue shock syndrome

Classical dengue presents with fever, headache, backache with severe myalgia so it is also called BREAK BONE FEVER.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is the start of complication and as the name suggests there is internal bleeding leading to fall in blood pressure and shock, platelet count is reduced and ultimately lead to shock causing Dengue shock syndrome. ( Indiastudychannel.com)

Symptoms of Dengue Virus

• Sudden onset of fever (lasting three to seven days) intense headache (especially behind the eyes)
• Muscle and joint pain (ankles, knees and elbows)
• Abdominal pain
• Unpleasant metallic taste in mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
• Flushed skin on face and neck, fine skin rash as fever subsides
• Rash on arms and legs, severe itching, peeling of skin and hair loss
• Minor bleeding (nose or gums) and heavy menstrual periods
• Extreme fatigue

Prevention

• Use mosquito repellant religiously especially in the evening hours
• Be aware of those mosquitoes hovering by even during the daytime
• Since it breeds in fresh water, keep collected water covered in containers
• Do not drink uncovered water lying around the house
• Mosquito coils should also be used during the day since Dengue carrier bites during the day also

People have also created a Facebook page called: Dengue Fever Survivors is on Facebook

Healing Hands Clinic

For those who are in Karachi and would like a reference of a good family doctor, do check out Healing Hands Clinic. It is owned by a couple: Dr. Humayun Baig and Dr. Fozia H. Baig. Both the husband and wife got their experience from UK and decided to come back to Pakistan along with their children to in the sincerest of intention to serve Pakistan. Their fee is not like the others who it seems are more true to making money than their profession as life saving individuals. Their clinic is located at Street 24, Tauheed Commercial Area. Phase 5, DHA, Karachi.

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