7 Facts About Dengue Every Parent Should Know

What are some facts about dengue?

1. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection common to tropical and subtropical countries worldwide.
2. The symptoms of dengue are wide-ranging and varied.
3. There is a specific breed of mosquito that carries the dengue virus.
4. Dengue cases rise in warmer months.
5. Dengue mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.
6. You can get the dengue virus up to 4 times in a lifetime.
7. There is no cure for dengue, but it can be prevented.

In the Philippines, the dengue virus is quite common. In fact, as of October 2022, there have been 173,233 cases and 528 deaths in the Philippines since the start of the year. Additionally, we regularly hear reports about dengue in the news and on social media.

Have you ever wondered why this is so? Why is dengue so common, and why is it so deadly? More importantly, what precautions can you take to avoid contracting dengue?

We’ve compiled this list of facts about the dengue virus to help answer your questions. Best of all, we’ll give you some quintessential tips to minimize the risk of contracting dengue in your home and public.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection common to tropical and subtropical countries worldwide

The Philippines is not the only nation prone to dengue mosquitoes and the virus they spread. Mosquitoes in general proliferate in areas that are warm yet humid, because of the availability of stagnant water (we’ll get to that more in a later section). 

Thus, areas near the sea and the equator are usually well-populated by mosquitoes.

The symptoms of dengue are wide-ranging and varied

The illness caused by dengue is often called dengue fever, but actually, once you’ve contracted dengue, you could have any of a varied set of symptoms, or you could have no symptoms at all. If you’re not asymptomatic, some signs of dengue include sudden high fever, nausea, skin rashes, fatigue, vomiting, or body pain.

These symptoms are often mistaken for something else, but dengue should never be disregarded as an option because, at its worst, dengue can be fatal. If you experience these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

There is a specific breed of mosquito that carries the dengue virus

It’s called the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is most active during the day. That doesn’t mean it can’t strike at night, though. In fact, several bites have been found to happen in the evenings.

Dengue cases rise in warmer months

This is because the Aedes aegypti mosquito is more active when it’s warm. That doesn’t mean you should be careless during the cold months—remember, we still live in a tropical climate—but rather, you should be more careful when it’s hot out.

Dengue mosquitoes breed in stagnant water

Like all others, the aegypti mosquito lays its eggs in stagnant water. It doesn’t take a lot of water; mosquito larvae can thrive in even a small puddle or a cup of clean water. This is why many of them flock to swampy areas, but also why they can thrive in urban areas, where people tend to store clean water for human use.

You can get the dengue virus up to 4 times in a lifetime

There are 4 dengue virus strains. Once you get infected with one strain, you develop immunity, but only to that specific strain. Therefore, it is possible to be infected up to 4 times, if you’re really unlucky.

There is no cure for dengue, but it can be prevented

Doctors and scientists have yet to discover a quick cure for dengue fever. If you contract the disease, they will likely give you medication and monitor your blood count.

The good news is, however, it can be quite easy to prevent contracting dengue in public spaces. Supermarkets always carry mosquito repellant, which is cheap to buy, and avoiding places where stagnant water can collect is a relatively painless activity.

You can also prevent dengue at home by doing the same things, plus investing in pest control services that target common household pests like cockroaches, ants, termites, and mosquitoes. This is recommended if you notice a large number of mosquitoes near your home in warmer months, or if you’ve dealt with an infestation before.

Key Takeaway

Now that you have some facts about dengue in your arsenal, you can be smarter about how you prevent infection and the spread of the disease. Because dengue can be an inconvenience at its best and a cause of death at its worst, it’s much better to be safe than sorry

Keep mosquitoes away from your home with Topbest, the leading pest control service in the Philippines. Our technicians and inspectors are fully-equipped and well-trained to spot areas of concern, and not only will they provide the best mosquito prevention control, but they’ll also even give you some more tips on how to prevent further or future infestation.

We look forward to hearing from you. Get a quote from us today!