ACTIVITIES

Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever also known as break-bone fever is asevere infectious disease characterized by pain in eyes, head and extremities. The disease is transmitted by the infective bite of Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Once bitten by the mosquito it takes 3-14 days to develop the disease. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) are the most serious forms of Dengue that may cause death. Person with dengue hemorrhagic fever lacks blood clotting process. About 20-30% of people with DHF develop shock which is known as dengue shock syndrome. Dengue commonly prevails in warm and wet areas of the world. The disease is commonly spread during the rainy season. It is highly recommended to see a doctor, once the symptoms of dengue fever are observed.

Symptoms of dengue fever
symptoms of dengue fever occur in 5-6 days after the bite from infectious mosquito. Sudden onset of fever with severe headache, muscle and joint pains are the primary symptoms of dengue fever. Most common symptoms for dengue fever are:
- severe frontal headache.
- Loss of sense of taste and appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Liver and spleen enlargement.
- Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs. Clinically, person suffering from dengue fever shows sudden drop in number of platelets (helps in blood clotting). Reduction in platelets may cause bleeding through gums and other internal parts of the body like stomach, liver and intestine. Some patients with dengue fever may also show increase in concentration.

Risk Factors of Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is primarily caused by a bite of Aedes Aegypti mosquito. It is mainly caused by any one of the four dengue virus. DEN-1, DEN-2, DEM-3 and DEN-4. Infection wiht one virus does not provide protection to the person from other three viruses. However, the person gets life-long immunity from that particular virus, once treated. It is a wrong belief that dengue is spread directly from person to person. The dengue fever can only be transmitted to a healthy individual through mosquito bite.

Treatment of Dengue Fever
There are no Specific treatments for dengue fever. Bed rest, adequate hydration and proper nutrition can help in avoiding complications.For severe kind of dengue fever (DSS & DHF), hospitalization and careful clinical management by professionals are required. Vaccination can be given but it would only help in preventing dengue caused by one of the virus and not all the four. Nonetheless, research is being carried out to develop a vaccine that would give protection from all the four types of viruses. Recently, Fluid Replacement Therapy is considered as one of the efficient treatment for dengue fever. The best treatment for dengue fever is to give analgesics and providing complete bed rest and plenty of fluids.

Prevention of Dengue Fever
Prevention is the only cure for dengue fever. To stop the spread of dengue fever, one must eradicate the cause of fever, Aedes mosquito. To prevent the growth and multiplication of Aedes mosquito, one must take precautions like:
- All water and air coolers must be thoroughly washed and dried out before reuse.
- Water tanks should be kept covered or air-tight.
- Unused or broken bottles, pots and tyres should not be left open.
- Accumulation of water in pots, unused utensils or containers must be avoided. People who are constantly travelling in dengue-prone areas may lower the risk by:
- Wearing insect repellant with DEET.
- Wearing clothes that completely covers the body.
- Keeping the unscreened doors and windows closed.

ACTIVITIES
1) Read the previous text carefully.
2) Look up in a dictionary all the words you do not know.
3) Think about possible way of presenting a VIRTUAL LEAFLET.
4) If you have any questions, please use this blog to contact me.
5) You can add pictures or comments about this project.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT.
MISS MARIELA