Dengue cases in the Philippines, now worse

In the Philippines, more cases of dengue are reported every single day. Last July, the Department of Health already declared National Dengue Alert. In just half a year, there were more than 100,000 reported cases of dengue. Last year, there were just around 57,000 cases.

How do you detect dengue at its early stages?

In order to prevent death, it is crucial that we are educated on how to detect dengue at its early stages. Here are the common symptoms:

• joint and muscle pain
• swollen lymph nodes
• headache
• rash
• fever
• exhaustion
• mild bleeding

How do you protect yourself from dengue fever?

As always, prevention is better than cure. Having said that, what are the measures you can easily do to minimize the risk of having dengue fever. We have a quick guide for you.

Destroy the mosquito breeding places

There are actually multiple ways to destroy the breeding places of mosquitos. For one, you should make sure that there are no stagnant waters. You can do such by cleaning the gutters and water buckets. In addition, make it a habit to dump water so that mosquito larvae will not live. Basically, have a clean environment.

Wear appropriate clothing

Since dengue fever is quite rampant, it is ideal to wear proper clothing wherever you are. Remember, your homes can also be a breeding ground. It’s time to get your long sleeves and jogging pants in order to protect your skin from mosquito bites.

Use insect repellent

It would also be a nice idea to invest in a good insect repellent. Here are the best ones in the market as of this writing:

• Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent V
• Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
• Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray
• Repel Dry Family Insect Repellent

Don’t be afraid to try out different brands because, at the end of the day, you need to choose what works for you best.

Don’t wait for your condition to get worse

And lastly, don’t wait for your condition to get worse. A lot of dengue cases can be treated easily. However, if you don’t act on it right away, it can lead to death.

Treating dengue fever

Hydrate yourself

Treating dengue includes drinking lots of water or staying hydrated. Even if it is a challenge for you to drink or eat anything, you have to force yourself. This can really help you to get back in shape.

Pain control

You can also manage the pain by taking Tylenol. However, you should be cautious when taking medications because it might cause bleeding. It is still best to consult professionals.

Use papaya leaf

Did you know that papaya leaf extract is an amazing remedy for dengue? It is said to help in improving platelet level. Further studies are needed to prove this claim.

What will happen if you don’t treat dengue fever?

Again, you have to take this seriously even if the symptoms are not yet alarming. Below are some of the things that might happen if you don’t address or manage dengue fever right away.

• slow heart rate
• low blood pressure
• dehydration
• bleeding
• neurological damage
• death