Tips are advice by Dr Chan Poh Chong, Head and Senior Consultant, Division of General Ambulatory Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine from National University Hospital.
You have brought your tickets to your long awaited vacation to another tropical island, already done your pre-health check-ups and ensured that the emergency first aid kits for the little ones are packed. But travelling to humid and hot weather countries may expose your family to several diseases or infections, so hope that this piece of info comes in handy as a guide on the prevention of contacting dengue infections before and after the trip!
DENGUE FEVER
Dengue fever is an infection caused by the Dengue virus, of which there are 4 different strains that can cause infection in humans. It is usually transmitted from an infected person to another via the Aedes mosquito.
Did you know? (source)
- Under optimal conditions, it takes only 1 week for the whole process of an Aedes mosquito egg hatch into an adult mosquito. After which 3 days after the mosquito has bitten a person and taken in blood, it will lay eggs, and the cycle begins again.
- Only the female Aedes mosquito bites as it needs the protein in blood to develop its eggs.
- Peak biting is at dawn and dusk.
- The average lifespan of an Aedes mosquito in Nature is two weeks.
- The mosquito can lay eggs about three times in its lifetime, and about 100 eggs are produced each time.
- The eggs can lie dormant in dry conditions for up to about nine months, after which they can hatch if exposed to favourable conditions, i.e. water and food.
SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION
Fever that can last from 2-7 days, a rash that appears on the face, trunk and limbs usually 2-3 days after the onset of the fever. Muscle and joint pain, headache, pain behind the eyes, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may also occur. In more severe cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome, bleeding and low blood pressure can be fatal.
Did you know? (source) These areas in the public are exposed to the breeding of the Aedes Mosquitoes?
- Discarded Receptacles
- Closed Perimeter Drains
- Gully Traps
- Plants
- Corridor Scupper / Gullies
COUNTRIES THAT MAY EXPOSE YOU TO DENGUE INFECTIONS
Usually tropical countries in Southeast Asia, Southern China, Taiwan, Carribean Islands, Africa as well as Central and South America.
TREATMENTS
Treatment for dengue fever focuses on pain relief and supporting the well-being of the patient. Intravenous fluids may also be administered to prevent dehydration.
PREVENTIONS & MEDICATION
Avoiding being bitten by the infected Aedes mosquitos with the use of insect repellent, mosquito nets and wearing covered clothing may help. A vaccine against Dengue has been developed and will soon be in the market for use. There is no medication that will help with Dengue, but symptomatic pain relief may require painkillers like Paracetamol.
Did you know? (source)
Though some traveling and out field vacation is prone to mosqitoes attack, you may wear long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito nets while sleeping and staying in mosquito-free rooms are also good measures to prevent mosquito bites. Others include insecticide sprays and burning repellent oils.
Precautions when usage of insect repellant:
- Read the instructions on the label and always use the product as directed.
- Apply repellent only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label) when necessary. Do not use repellent under clothing.
- Never use repellent over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays, do not spray directly onto face. Spray on your hands first and then apply to the face.
- Do not allow children to handle the product.
- if you or your child developed a rash or other bad reactions from the insect repellent, stop using it. Wash the repellent off with mild soap and water. You may wish to see a doctor. Remember to bring the product with you to the doctor, or provide details of the product and exposure route whenever possible.
PRIOR TO VACATION
Manage your home well before leaving for a vacation, take note on the 3 steps to ensure a Dengue free enivronment when you are back. (source)
STEP 1: Cover all toilet bowls, floor traps and Seal off the overflow pipe of the flushing cistern.
STEP 2: Turn over all water storage containers.
STEP 3: Add sand granular insecticide to flower vases, clear blockages and add Bti insecticide in roof gutters.
TIPS FOR PARENTS WITH BABIES
Ensuring that there are no breeding places for the Aedes mosquito (at home) and applying mild insect repellents on babies can help to reduce the risk. When using the repellent on children, apply to your own hands first and then on the child. You may not want to apply to children’s hands to avoid accidental ingestion of repellent.
Familystaysg Team