Dengue Fever

[Nereus]

The following is reported in todays online Bangkok Post. May be a timely reminder to take precautions about mosquitoes.

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/t ... ?id=118249

[webmaster]

Since there isn't a cure for dengue, it's better to take precautions not to get bitten. After me and my wife both had the dengue in 2004 in our house in Kao Takiab, never managed to get rid off the high temperature. Every October and November, I still get similar effects repeated i.e; very high fever (40C), sharp head-aches, bone and muscle pain, lack of energy and appetite.

After talking to tens of doctors, my conclusion is, unfortunately we have to suffer from it for the rest of our lives.

The best advice I can offer to dengue fever sufferers is, get a big DVD library and a good TV set in your Air-conditioned bedroom with plenty of drinking water when you have been diagnosed, you won't be able to do much physically for a few weeks. Also avoid any medicine (Aspirin or alike) or alcohol which can thin your blood, this can elevate the dengue fever and can cause fatal results.

[Nereus]

This crap really worries me.

Thailand registers 36 per cent increase in dengue fever

BANGKOK: -- More than 21,000 patients suffering from dengue fever have been treated in Thailand during the first half of this year, with 17 persons having died from the rainy season disease, a senior public health ministry official said Saturday.

Bureau of Vector-Borne Diseases director Dr. Wichai Satimai said a total of 21,251 dengue fever patients were identified during the first six months of 2007, representing a 36 per cent increase from the corresponding period of last year.

Seventeen Thai victims died during the period. The sharp increase in the number of patients during the period was attributed to the early onset of the rainy season in Thailand, causing the quick breeding of dengue-carrying striped mosquitoes, said Dr. Wichai.

The incidence of dengue has been significantly on the rise in other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore also increased during the period, he added.

Earlier this week Cambodia reported 132 deaths from dengue fever in June alone, and asked for Thai government medical assistance, which is being extended.

--TNA 2007-07-08

[DawnHRD]

There were 2 threads about dengue, so I'm moving Hobiecat's post to here & closing his thread:


Hobiecat
Novice



Joined: 03 Jul 2007
Posts: 7

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject: Dengue

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Yes there is a very real threat of Dengue fever in recent years. My cousin a long time resided of Thailand (30years) aquired the disese with fatal results. He passed away from a heart attack this year which we were told happened because his body was so run down for the disese.

[JD]

The Boy, the Wife and I all had a bout of this last year after a weeks stay in Bangkok. All of us had temperatures above 39C.

The wife and boy had it first and I was able to look after them. Just as the wife was getting over the worst of it mine came on. It lasted about a week of severe headaches and muscle pain, with a complete lack of energy. Although a bit lethargic in the second week we were all able to get about to some degree.

It was hard to watch a two year old at the time, go through it, lots of cool baths to keep his temperature down, he needed hospitalisation for a few days on a drip as he wouldn’t eat and drink much. We haven’t had any recurring incidences yet, but it has only been about 10 months since we went through it.

[Norseman]

MAE HONG SON, July 15 (TNA) –


Deputy Public Health Minister Morakot Kornkasem expressed on Sunday his concern that dengue fever this year
is more widespread and is likely to worsen during the continuing rainy season.

"Dengue fever is still critical because it is likely to spread even further during the rainy season," Dr. Morakot said.

The rainy season in Thailand is from June through August.

In the first six months of 2007, there have been 23,653 dengue fever patients and 21 of them died.
The central region is the hardest hit area with 8,177 patients, followed by the northeastern region with 6,816 patients.

Eighty per cent of them contracted the deadly disease at home.

The deputy minister recommended therefore the general public to eliminate or reduce exposure to mosquitoes --
the vectors or carriers of dengue fever, especially those in and around living quarters.

[bradders]

Whilst on the subject of 'fevers' - please advise which innoculations/vacinations are recommended PRIOR to taking up residence in Thailand - or indeed any other Asian country?

The report on rising cases of dengue fever is obviously disturbing - and I'm sorry to read a number of members here have fallen victim!

Probably a silly question - but is there any know vaccination available to combat/avoid dengue fever - or indeed any other related mosquito infections?

WEBMASTER; You mention to take precautions ref mosquito bites - may I ask how you go about this? Special creams or similar?

Thanks - bradders

[crazy88]

Nasty virus this one . I remember wondering how my head could hurt this much and me still be alive .The worst thing you can do is dehydrate .Difficult to avoid as any effort to eat or drink is almost impossible and results in several hours sleep required .I have had one re-occurance as described earlier on this thread .Nothing since and I have certainly been bitten by those same little critters since .Would prefer to avoid another episode if anyone out there has some in depth knowledge .

[Norseman]

The only way you can protect yourself is to spray your skin with mosquito repellent. The problem with this is that most people don't do it.

The dengue fever mosquitoes are active during daytime.

The American spray can named OFF is a very good repellent. You can buy it in Shopping Mall or Tesco Lotus here in HH.

[redzonerocker]

the fever works along the same lines as malaria. once you have had it, it is dormant in your system.your immune system builds up a resistance to the virus but can only contain it. if you get bitten by a carrier again, it will trigger the fever again.that is probably the scenario for life as there is not actual cure.
a friend of mine has malaria but doesn't have a periodic recurrence, his last attack was about 8 years ago when he holidayed in morocco (obviously got bitten there).he has never had the fever in the uk.
dengue is widespread usually during the end of the rainy season in thailand, not sure on malaria but it was june in most african countries.
stock up on mosquito repellents (sprays & plug ins), put a net up if possible.spray your feet & legs before you go out especially during the season they are active.

[Nereus]

The only way you can protect yourself is to spray your skin with mosquito repellent. The problem with this is that most people don't do it.

The dengue fever mosquitoes are active during daytime.

The American spray can named OFF is a very good repellent. You can buy it in Shopping Mall or Tesco Lotus here in HH.

The most effective active substance in any insect repellent is considered to be: DEET. I am not familiar with "OFF", but if it lists DEET as the active component, then it will be good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEET

[Norseman]

That is correct Nereus, and Off contains 15% DEET which is why I recommends people to use that particular repellent.

[PJG]

Dengue Fever is caused by Mosquitos that bite during the daytime so make sure you are sprayed up all day if you want to avoid bites. Afraid that there are no vaccines or other repellants for this nasty other than those containing Deet.

If you return to Uk before your visits to Thailand it is a good idea to get Innoculation foe Hepatitis. These are available on tyhe NHS depending on where you live.

[Condoking]

They have been going crazy in Singapore for the last couple of months about Dengue, massive advertising campaigns and spraying anywhere they can breed. Its passed on by the Aedes Mosquito, though only the female bites apparently. They peaked at 432 cases 2 weeks ago and 260 in 5 days last week, above the weekly warning level of 256 issued by the ministry of health. They reckon the increase may be partially due to global warming which allows the mozzies to breed much better. Also reports of deaths due to Dengue in Cambodia and Myanmar.

This website explains a lot more but not for teh faint hearted - http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/default.asp?pg_id=865&aid=196

[bradders]

If you return to Uk before your visits to Thailand it is a good idea to get Innoculation foe Hepatitis. These are available on tyhe NHS depending on where you live.

PJG: Thanks for advice! I'll get the Hepatitis 'fix' - any other 'jabs' recommended - for example malaria or other(s)?

bradders