Dengue Fever is a viral illness that is spread by the Aedes mosquitoes.

Symptoms

• High fever usually starts 4-14 days after mosquito bite
• Headache (especially behind the eyes) severe muscle pain and joints pain
• Nausea and vomiting, feeling of unwell
• Generalized red rash on the whole body appears 2-5 days after fever starts
• No treatment for Dengue fever, treatment is supportive, giving fluids and antipyretics, blood products may even be necessary in ill patients
• There is currently no vaccine available for Dengue fever
• Most patients recover well with no sequel
• Can potentially be deadly with dengue hemorrhagic fever if this is not the first episode

Prevention

Clothing, mosquito repellent and even mosquito netting to prevent mosquitoes. Parents should also take care to get rid of stagnant water in the house to prevent the breeding of the Aedes mosquitoes.

⇒ Related Read: What Will Keep Mosquitoes Away

Tips to alleviate symptoms

Simple antipyretics such as paracetamol would be prescribed. Parents should follow the dosage and give accordingly. This can help to alleviate muscle aches and joint pains that are very common in this illness. There is no food that the child cannot eat or drink but a generous amount of fluid should be given to the child.

By Dr Ellen Tay, Paediatrician.

Dr Tay obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the National University of Singapore. She attained her qualifications of Masters of Medicine in Paediatrics and Membership to the Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom) in 2002 and obtained her specialist qualification after completing her training in paediatrics in 2005 (Specialist Accreditation Board, Singapore).

Practice Address
Thomson Paediatric Centre at Novena Medical Centre
10 Sinaran Drive Novena Medical Centre #09-02/03
Tel: 62563291
Email: info@thomsonpaeds.com
Website: healthwaymedical.com/paedistrics

The National Environment Agency (NEA) noted that the majority of breeding grounds are still found within homes.

From 14 March 2016, all homes – whether they are within or outside dengue clusters – will be fined $200 if they are found to be breeding mosquitoes.

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