Beware of Dengue Fever

CHANGES weather is happening these days should beware. Current weather conditions, high risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever outbreak, especially in areas prone during dengue fever. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) was no doubt a scourge for the people of Indonesia. Look at the Health Ministry data, during the year 2009 and, DHF patients were recorded as many as 154,855 people. Of the cases reported during the year 2009, there were at least 10 provinces with the most cases, the DKI Jakarta, West Java, East Java, Central Java, West Kalimantan, Bali, Banten, East Kalimantan, North Sumatra and South Sulawesi. This increase in DHF cases more attention must be addressed by both health authorities, particularly in the area. Thus, there is no longer expected to boom as it appears the case last year. Moreover DHF can lead to death. In the rainy season like now, the chance appearance of the disease should instead be the public's attention. Reflecting on the experience of the past, the early years is high time the risk of this disease outbreak. It is said the Secretary General of the Association of Indonesian Public Health Experts (IAKMI) Syahrul Aminullah. According to him, the view is always colored when the rainy season is a risky pool of water into the habitat of mosquitoes to lay their eggs. These mosquitoes then bite humans and spread disease. "Aedes aegypti mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in puddles," he said. Syahrul also advise people as possible to prevent the transmission of dengue fever. This can be done with the eradication of mosquitoes in a continuous nest known as the 3 M, which is clean, close, and bury the things that can become mosquito-breeding marshes. Especially for places where the water reservoir, should be sown abate powder. According to Suzanne Moore Shepherd, MD, professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Pennsylvania, dengue fever was first recorded to be endemic in 1779-1780 in Asia, Africa, and North America. This disease occurs almost simultaneously with the level of morbidity and mortality high. This illustrates that the spread of this disease is very broad since more than 200 years ago and is quite dangerous disease. "We have had this disease remains a serious problem in the health field, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, with economic and health levels are low," he said as quoted Medicinenet.com. Dengue fever is the mildest form of the following forms, namely DHF and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Dengue fever generally attacks the body's immune decline. As dengue infection, the body will produce immunity against the types of dengue virus. This immunity will last a lifetime. However, fever is caused by many types of viruses, so even though the body immune to one type, in fact still be suffering from dengue fever from other types of viruses. While dengue is dengue fever to more severe degrees. The main difference is in the dengue fever was not found bleeding in patients. In the skin of patients with dengue fever, red rash just looks. Meanwhile, in DHF patients will look the spots of bleeding. "In addition to bleeding in the skin, DHF patients may also experience bleeding from the gums, nose, intestines, and other body parts," said a surgeon Gregory E Rauscher MD FACS. Dengue fever has several signs and symptoms, namely the heat that lasted between 4 to 7 days after the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus and is accompanied by other symptoms. Among high heat until more than 38 º C which lasted 5-7 days. Followed by headache and pain in the back of the eye, including the muscles and joints. Patients will also experience nausea and vomiting, and no appetite, and appear reddish marks on the skin. While dengue has signs like that, coupled with the existence of spontaneous bleeding manifestations, such as red spots on the skin that does not disappear when pressed, especially in areas elbow, wrist, and feet. The existence of enlarged liver and spleen and plasma leakage are marked with hematocrit value increased or decreased 20 percent or more of their normal values. DHF patients are also at risk the existence of fluid in the lungs and accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. The most severe form of this virus infection is DSS. Symptoms include a decrease in consciousness, low blood pressure, rapid and weak pulse, and the hands and feet, pale and cold. Patients with this disease can be treated at home if the condition of the patient is still able to eat and drink, and do not experience nausea or vomiting are severe. Treatment can be done by providing a warm compress, heat-lowering drugs, pain relievers, and Antiemetic if necessary. If the condition does not improve or the patient shows signs of shock, take the patient to the hospital immediately. Generally after a healing after 7-8 days, patients will experience healing. "It can be seen from the fever down slowly, appetite and drinking better, the less weak, and the body feel fresh again," Gregory said.