TIPS TO FEND OFF DENGUE FEVER IN KIDS

What Is Dengue Fever?

Dengue (pronounced: DEN-gee) fever is an infectious disease. It can cause high fevers, headaches, rashes, and pain throughout the body. Although dengue fever can be very painful, it's not usually fatal. Dengue fever is common in tropical and subtropical climates. It's a big problem in some countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia. It is transmitted to humans by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which unlike the malaria causing mosquito Anopheles feeds only during the day.

How Do People Get Dengue Fever?

When a mosquito bites a person who has dengue fever, the mosquito becomes infected with the virus that causes the disease. It can then spread the virus to other people by biting them. Dengue fever is not contagious, so it can't spread directly from person to person. Since different viruses can cause dengue fever, someone can get the disease more than once.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever used to be called "breakbone fever," which might give you an idea of the severe bone and muscle pain it sometimes can cause. The fever isn't actually breaking any bones, but it can sometimes feel like it is.

Symptoms of dengue fever usually appear 4 to 14 days after someone has been infected. Some people infected with the virus won't have any symptoms. Others will have symptoms for 2 to 7 days before getting better.

If you or a family member develop any of the following warning signs, go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room immediately:

1. ·         High fever
2. ·        Pain behind the eyes and in the joints, muscles, and/or      bones
3. ·         Severe headache
4. ·         Rash
5. ·         Bleeding from the nose or gums
6. ·         Bruising easily
7.     Some people can get a more serious form of the infection      called dengue hemorrhagic fever. They'll have the              regular symptoms of dengue fever for 2 to 7 days. After        the fever goes down, they may notice these additional          symptoms:
8. ·         Nausea and vomiting
9. ·         Severe abdominal pain
10. ·         Severe bleeding
11. ·         Stomach or belly pain, tenderness
12. ·         Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
13. ·         Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
14. ·         Feeling tired, restless, or irritable
15. ·         Cold clammy skin
16. ·         Difficulty breathing

If dengue hemorrhagic fever is not treated right away, a person can have heavy bleeding and a drop in blood pressure, and could even die. People with dengue hemorrhagic fever need to be treated in a medical facility immediately.

Signs of mild to moderate dehydration

Table showing signs of mild to moderate dehydration

Babies and Children	Adults
Urinates less frequently (less than 6 wet diapers per day)	Thirst, dry or sticky mouth
Dry mouth, tongue, lips	Not peeing very much, dark yellow pee
Few or no tears when crying	Dry, cool skin
Sunken soft spot of the head	Headache

What to do: Talk to your healthcare provider. Provide fluids such a water, juice, milk, or drinks with added electrolytes.

Signs of severe dehydration

Babies and Children	Adults
Sleepiness, lack of energy, very fussy	Not peeing very much, dark yellow pee
Sunken eyes	Feeling dizzy, sleepy, no energy, confused, or irritable
Cool, discolored hands or feet	Rapid heart rate, breathing
Urinates 1-2 times per day	Sunken eyes

What to do: Go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room immediately.

Severe dengue is a medical emergency and requires immediate child specialist (doctor) attention or hospitalization.

When Should I Call a Doctor?

If you think your kid might have dengue fever, call a best child doctor right away. You also should call Pediatrician near you if your children develop symptoms of the infection after going to a region that has dengue fever.

A doctor (Child Specialist) will examine your kid. He or she will ask you questions about how your kids feeling, your kid medical history, and recent travels. Your doctor (Pediatrician) might want your kid to give a blood sample to test for the disease.

If you've been diagnosed with dengue, call your doctor or get to a hospital emergency room right away if your symptoms get worse or if new symptoms appear, especially in the day or two after the fever goes down.

 

How Can I Prevent Dengue Fever?

1. You can help keep yourself free of dengue fever by avoiding mosquito bites. If you live in or will be visiting an area where there's dengue fever:
2. ·Use screens on doors and windows. Repair broken or damaged screens quickly. Keep unscreened doors and windows shut.
3. ·  Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks when you go outside.
4. ·  Use mosquito netting over your bed at night.
5. ·  Use an insect repellent as directed. Choose one with DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
6. ·Limit the amount of time you spend outside during the day, especially in the hours around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
7. · Don't give mosquitoes places to breed. They lay their eggs in water. So get rid of standing water in things like wading pools and gutters. Change the water in birdbaths, dog bowls, and flower vases every few days.

You should always call your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns or questions about their health.

DR NITIN GUPTA

Child Care Clinic and Vaccination Centre

( Best pediatrician in gaur city,greater Noida West , Noida extension)

BEST PEDIATRICIAN IN GAUR CITY, 

GREATER NOIDA WEST

    http://drnitin.drsuchiguptagynaeclinic.com/