Multiple Regions Confirmed! High Fever, Severe Pain, Skin Rash... Be Alert for Dengue Fever If These Symptoms Appear
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News
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2024-09-04
Currently, Guangdong Province has entered the dengue fever epidemic season. Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the dengue virus, transmitted through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes (primarily Aedes albopictus, also known as the “tiger mosquito,” and Aedes aegypti). The onset of dengue fever is seasonal, with the peak period coinciding with the active season of vector Aedes mosquitoes (when temperatures are consistently above 25°C). In Guangdong, the high-incidence season is from May to November. Since May this year, local cases of dengue fever have been reported in some areas of the province.
How to Determine if You Have Contracted Dengue Fever?
The incubation period of the dengue virus in the human body is generally 1 to 14 days, most commonly 5 to 9 days, and the entire population is generally susceptible. Be vigilant if you have a history of mosquito bites and present with typical symptoms of dengue fever!
The typical symptoms of dengue fever can be summarized as: Sudden High Fever + Three Red Signs + Three Pains + Skin Rash:
High Fever: Sudden onset of high fever (above 39°C), typically lasting 2 to 7 days.
Three Pains: Severe headache, generalized joint pain, and muscle aches.
Three Red Signs: Facial flushing, neck flushing, and chest flushing.
Skin Rash: Congestive rash or petechial rash appearing on the limbs, trunk, or head and face.
Other symptoms may include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
It is worth noting that many people believe mosquitoes prefer individuals with type O blood. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that mosquitoes can distinguish blood types. Mosquitoes primarily locate their targets through scent, odor, and color. Mosquitoes are more attracted to individuals with the following characteristics:
1. Well-Developed Sweat Glands and Higher Body Temperature
Mosquitoes are attracted to people who sweat more, as sweat increases the acidity of the blood, making it more appealing to mosquitoes. Additionally, mosquitoes are highly sensitive to temperature changes; even a slight increase in temperature is quickly detected. Individuals with well-developed sweat glands dissipate heat faster, and the sweat they release sends a signal to mosquitoes.
2. Fatigue and Rapid Respiratory Rate
Carbon dioxide exhaled by humans is a strong attractant for mosquitoes. A higher volume of exhaled carbon dioxide forms a warm, moist air current above a person’s head, which mosquitoes detect and find highly appealing, leading to the familiar buzzing sound. Therefore, individuals with larger lung capacity or heavier breathing are relatively more attractive to mosquitoes.
3. Use of Scented Cosmetics
Many perfumes containing stearic acid, as well as scented hair gels, facial creams, and other cosmetics, attract mosquitoes. Applying these products significantly increases the likelihood of mosquito bites.
4. Darker Skin or Clothing
Mosquitoes have a natural tendency towards darker environments, making darker colors seem safer to them. Multiple studies have confirmed that mosquitoes are more likely to target people wearing dark-colored clothing, such as black or blue-violet, or individuals with darker skin within a group.
Dengue Fever Prevention and Control Measures
Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever, and vaccine prevention is still under research. Mosquito prevention and control are key to preventing dengue fever. For example:
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Indoor
Change Plant Water: Regularly change the water and clean the containers of aquatic plants (at least once a week). Do not allow water to accumulate in plant pot saucers.
Appliance Water: Promptly remove standing water from air conditioner and water dispenser trays.
Balcony Containers: Pay attention to clearing water containers in open areas such as balconies or windowsills. Dispose of used containers in covered trash bins or store them upside down in a rainproof area.
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Outdoor
Cover: Cover water tanks, cisterns, and other water containers securely.
Fill: Fill in depressions, abandoned ponds, ditches, bamboo stumps, tree holes, etc.
Dredge: Dredge ditches, and clear silt and weeds from banks.
Drain: Drain any standing water that could breed mosquitoes, including water around houses, gardens/balconies/rooftops, ponds/aquatic plants, bamboo stumps/tree holes/tires, construction sites, and green belts.
Clear: Promptly remove or turn upside down discarded containers such as idle pots, cans, food containers, and glass bottles.
1
Indoor
Install Screens: Install screen doors and window screens at home (mesh size smaller than 20 mesh, i.e., average aperture 0.9mm). Spraying insecticide on screens enhances effectiveness. Use mosquito nets while sleeping.
Repel: Apply mosquito repellent products containing DEET, icaridin, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, or eucalyptus oil to exposed skin and clothing.
Kill: If adult mosquitoes are found indoors, use commercially available insecticide aerosols, mosquito coils, mosquito mats, or other approved household insecticides. Close doors and windows before application and vacate the room. Re-enter 0.5 to 1 hour later, open doors and windows, and ventilate for 20 minutes before re-entering. Electric swatters or mosquito traps can also be used.
Bathe: Shower promptly and keep skin dry.
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Outdoor
Isolate: Wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants when going out.
Repel: Apply mosquito repellent products containing DEET, icaridin, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, or eucalyptus oil to exposed skin and clothing.
Kill: If mosquitoes are abundant in the outdoor environment, it is recommended to hire a professional pest control company for extermination.
Warm Reminder:
1. If you have a travel history to a dengue fever endemic area or a history of mosquito bites, and develop suspicious symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
2. If you accidentally contract the dengue virus, do not panic excessively. The prognosis for dengue fever patients is generally good. With timely treatment, most patients recover fully. However, there have been reports of deaths in a small number of severe cases, so please take scientific precautions.
3. To prevent transmitting the disease to others, please cooperate with local health authorities for dengue fever prevention and control.
(Compiled from Guangdong CDC and China CDC)
Article Compiled by >>>Lin Xiaoping, Department of Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention and Control
Professional Guidance >>>Gao Yanxin, Department of Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention and Control
