Are you suffering from high fever, fatigue, rashes, nausea, joint pain, and body ache, then these could be dengue or chikungunya symptoms. More and more people experience the same especially during the rainy season when mosquitoes are most active. Yes, the rainy season is also the mosquito season, when we hear about surging dengue and chikungunya cases.
The government usually runs dengue awareness campaigns to keep a check on the spread of these mosquito-borne diseases. Although dengue and chikungunya are treatable, we feel why to look for dengue or chikungunya treatment, when you can first try to safeguard yourself from these mosquito-borne diseases.
In this post, we aim to guide you on how to stay safe amidst surging dengue and chikungunya cases, and for this, we will share some chikungunya and dengue prevention measures.
What is Dengue?
Dengue is a viral disease that is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas around the world including Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, Latin America and the Caribbean. Dengue fever is caused by one of four dengue virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4).
Symptoms of dengue fever typically include high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain and a rash. In some cases the disease can progress to a more severe form known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can cause bleeding, shock and organ failure.
What is Chikungunya?
Chikungunya is a viral disease that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, usually the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, rash and nausea. The disease is typically self-limiting with most patients recovering fully within a week or two but in some cases joint pain and other symptoms may persist for several months or even years.
Reasons for an Upsurge in Dengue and Chikungunya Cases
Before we discuss anything else in this article, we want you to be aware of the reasons for an upsurge in dengue and chikungunya fever cases in India. Every year the dengue menace is at a height, especially during the monsoons. Warm and humid weather makes up for the best time for mosquito breeding. The rainy season gives them an ample amount of breeding grounds in the form of puddles across the country where it rains.
Monsoon is otherwise also a common season for all types of pests to grow, and breed and mosquitoes are not an exception. The more the population of mosquitoes, the higher the graph of dengue and chikungunya cases goes in the nation. So, in short, the main reason for the surging cases of these vector-borne diseases is the humid temperature during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon times of the year.
Difference Between Dengue Mosquito and Normal Mosquito
Dengue is spread by no ordinary normal mosquito, but due to the bite of the dengue mosquito Aedes Aegypti. It is a viral infection that spreads when an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito bites a person. The dengue mosquito differs from the normal mosquito because it carries the infection in its saliva. On the other hand, the normal mosquito belonging to the Culicidae class of mosquitoes does not carry the dengue virus.
You just learned about how dengue happens and what are the common dengue symptoms. Similarly, chikungunya is caused due to the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti or Aedes Albopictus mosquito. Let us now read about how to prevent dengue bite or safeguard yourself from chikungunya infection.
7 Best Preventive Measures for Chikungunya and Dengue Fever
- Remove Stagnant Water
- Stay Covered in Protective Clothing
- Use Mosquito Nets and Screens
- Use Natural Mosquito Repellents
- Use Effective Mosquito Repellents
- Use Smells that Deter Mosquitoes
- Stay Away from Dark and Shady Places
1. Remove Stagnant Water
The number one precaution from dengue fever is ensuring there is no mosquito breeding ground around you. These mosquitoes tend to breed rapidly in stagnant water. So, either remove such standing water puddles or treat them using effective insecticides to kill the mosquito larvae.
2. Stay Covered in Protective Clothing
The second-best way to stay safe from dengue and chikungunya fever is by keeping yourself as much covered as you can. For this, try to wear protective clothing, which includes full-sleeve shirts, and full-length pants. By minimizing body exposure, you minimize the risk of contracting these mosquito-borne diseases.
3. Use Mosquito Nets and Screens
An age-old practice to keep away mosquitoes is using mosquito nets. Especially, if you have small children at home, make sure to make them sleep in a mosquito net for better protection against mosquitoes. For the same reason, you may also install window screens to keep mosquitoes away.
4. Use Natural Mosquito Repellents
The next easy way to stay protected from mosquito bites and diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya is by using natural mosquito repellents. For this, you can try several home remedies to keep the mosquitoes away, such as garlic water spray, coffee beans, peppermint leaves, and essential oils like lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass oil.
5. Use Effective Mosquito Repellents
If not happy with the power of natural mosquito repellents, we suggest you choose effective artificial mosquito repellents. Some mosquito repellents that are found effective in repelling mosquitoes are mosquito-killing rackets, liquid vaporizers, instant mosquito sprays, mosquito zappers, mosquito trappers, and incense sticks.
6. Use Smells that Deter Mosquitoes
Do you know that mosquitoes are sensitive to certain smells? These biting monsters are attracted to certain smells and hate certain smells. Use this fact against them by using smells that keep these mosquitoes away, such as the citrus smell of lemon, the strong aroma of clove, or the bitter smell of neem oil. You may also use mosquito-repellent indoor plants for the same purpose.
7. Stay Away from Dark and Shady Places
Another thing worth knowing about mosquitoes is that they prefer hiding in darker places for easy camouflage. So, why not try the opposite to keep the mosquitoes away? Keep your house well-lit and avoid staying in dark and shady places for a long, or else you will be vulnerable to mosquito bites. Also, wear light-shaded clothes to stay protected amidst the surging dengue and chikungunya cases.
Takeaway
Having read about what you can do to protect yourself against dengue and chikungunya, it is time to take a call to action. We agree, there will still be many people who will look for ultimate mosquito protection even after reading so much about chikungunya prevention and dengue fever prevention. So, for them, we recommend installing AutoMos Mosquito Repellent Machine in your home or office.
Grab the best mosquito repellent machine – AutoMos from HiCare, and get 24x7 mosquito protection against all types of mosquitoes. For best efficacy, make sure to use the original AutoMos Refill in this dispenser which comprises 12% Transfluthrin Aerosol. One refill easily lasts up to 90 days on average use, and you can prevent mosquitoes and their bites with just Rs. 5 per day. That's the incredible AutoMos machine for you to deal with the upsurge in dengue and chikungunya cases in the city.
FAQs
1. How can we protect ourselves from dengue and chikungunya?
To protect yourself from dengue and chikungunya, you should:
· Use mosquito repellents containing picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus
· Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants
· Use bed nets when sleeping
· Remove stagnant water where mosquitoes breed
· Use screens on doors and windows
· Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as fever, joint pain and rash
2. What precautions should be taken after dengue?
After recovering from dengue, it is important to take certain precautions to prevent any complications. These include:
· Rest and avoid strenuous activity
· Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
· Eat a balanced diet to regain strength
· Avoid alcohol and drugs that can affect the liver
· Monitor for any symptoms of post dengue complications such as bleeding, severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting
· Seek medical attention if you experience any concerning symptoms
3. What not to eat during dengue?
During dengue it is important to eat a well balanced and nutritious diet to help support the body's immune system. However certain foods should be avoided including:
· Fried and oily foods
· Spicy and salty foods
· Processed and canned foods
· Sugary foods and beverages
· Alcohol and caffeine
4. What are 3 symptoms of chikungunya fever?
The symptoms of chikungunya fever usually appear within three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are:
· High fever (typically above 102 degrees Fahrenheit)
· Severe joint pain especially in the hands, wrists, ankles and feet Rash on the trunk, limbs and face
· Headache, muscle pain and fatigue
5. Which food is good for chikungunya?
During chikungunya the following foods may be beneficial:
· Fruits rich in vitamin C such as oranges, kiwi and strawberries
· Vegetables high in antioxidants such as spinach, kale and broccoli
· Lean protein sources such as chicken, fish and tofu
· Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and oats
· Nuts and seeds like almonds, chia and flaxseeds