During the rainy season, infectious diseases are usually found, especially among newborn babies and little children. One of them is dengue fever caused by dengue virus. There are 4 species of this virus that can be spread by Aedes mosquitoes.
Due to the rain causing flooding, Aedes mosquitoes can reproduce well and become carriers of this disease. When a female Aedes mosquito sucks blood from a sick person with dengue fever, the dengue virus multiplies and spreads into the salivary glands of mosquitoes. They can then spread the infection to the next person who is bitten throughout the mosquitoes’ life which lasts about 1-2 months. The symptoms of dengue fever range from mild to severe ones. The first infection is normally mild as patients can recover quickly, albeit fever for some days.
There are 3 phases of dengue fever symptoms:
- High fever Children will have a fever as high as 38-40 degrees for about 2-7 days with other non-specific symptoms, such as fatigue, body aches, loss of appetite, eating less, abdominal pain, and red rash;
- Critical period After the fever has subsided, the symptoms might not improve. Babies also look tired and weak, have abdominal pain, and urinate less while platelet levels begin to drop. 3 days after the fever subsides are a period that must be closely monitored because children may have a shock from the leakage of the body’s liquid substance or bleeding in various internal organs; and
- Recovery period It is the period after the fever subsides without shock. Children will start being energetic, physically brighter, and able to eat and their platelet levels will start to increase.
In case the following symptoms occur, parents should take their little ones to the hospital immediately:
1. Children are lethargic. Although the fever has decreased, they have no energy at all and eat less.
2. Children urinate a little.
3. Children sweat a lot while their bodies, hands, and feet are cold.
4. Children have a severe stomach ache.
5. Children look lethargic and disoriented.
6. Children suffer from bleeding in various body parts, such as scurvy or excrete blood.
How to prevent dengue fever
- Never allowing mosquito bites is the best way to prevent dengue fever. This can be done by using mosquito nets or long-sleeved shirts to prevent mosquito bites.
- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by turning unused containers upside down to avoid stagnation of water, add salt, vinegar or detergent in the water of the pantry saucer to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
- Have vaccination against dengue fever. Prophylaxis is recommended for people previously infected with dengue virus (seropositive). Vaccination, which includes 3 injections, each taken at 6 months interval, can be provided to children of 9 years or older and adults of 45 years maximum. The dengue vaccine is about 65% effective in preventing dengue fever, reduces the severity of bleeding episodes by about 93%, and the hospitalization rate by about 80%.
A heartfelt thank for information of Piyarat Ann Lertbannapong, M.D.
After taking care of babies’ health, don't forget to choose diapers that give your baby comfort, are not stuffy, dry, and gentle for the skin day and night, absorb well, and have passed the hypoallergenic test so that allergies* will not occur. BabyLove Diapers Day Night Pants have it all with good quality, and the price is reasonable for parents.
*The product does not cause allergies or irritation in the experimental group according to the test results by Dermscan Asia, Thailand, except allergies or personal irritation, and does not include allergies due to wearing diapers for a long time. In case of personal irritation, it is advisable to consult a physician.
Crated At 03/01/2023
