June was declared Dengue Awareness Month (Proclamation No. 1204) since 1998 to highlight how prevention and control of dengue would require collaborative efforts among national and local government agencies as well as private NGOs.

Dengue has been considered by Department of Health (DOH) as a year-round disease which incidents rises during rainy seasons. This is the fastest spreading insect-carrier disease in the world endemic in 100 countries. As per DOH, the goal of Dengue awareness month is to reduce the burden of dengue disease with an objective to reduce dengue morbidity by at least 25% by 2022.

Dengue is transmitted by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are found throughout the world. It is a tropical disease caused by a virus carried these mosquitoes. This virus causes dengue fever, and there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue fever, the treatment is directed toward relief of the symptoms.

The virus can cause fever, headaches, rashes, and pain throughout the body. Symptoms may include:

1. High Fever

2. Severe headaches

3. Pain behind the eyes and in the joints, muscles and/or bones

4. Abdominal Pain

5. Bleeding (such a nosebleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising, dark stools)

6. Rash over most of the body

7. Fatigue

8. Nausea

9. Vomiting

Sometimes, symptoms can be mild and can be mistaken for those of the flu or another viral infection. Symptoms of dengue fever are generally mild in younger children and those who have the disease for the first time. However, serious problems can develop. Severe dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and often requires hospitalization.

The best way to prevent Dengue is avoiding mosquito bites. Let’s take necessary precautions by: Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using insect repellent, and controlling mosquitoes by cleaning stagnant water inside and outside your home.

Controlling and preventing dengue fever are essential steps for keeping people healthy. Know the symptoms of Dengue by asking specialist doctors from Medgate, anywhere, anytime.