24 Jan. 2020

Who said that the smallest creatures couldn't cause harm to the largest? A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, dengue is a genuine plague in Thailand! Let's explore the symptoms of this disease and share our recommendations for avoiding infection with the virus!

A tiny creature, serious symptoms…

Dengue is an arbovirus transmitted from mosquito to human. This viral disease comes in four serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4). Its incubation period is 3 to 15 days depending on the case, and recovery can take much longer. The most common symptoms resemble those of a flu-like illness: extreme fatigue, fever, muscle pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes skin rashes…

In the worst-case scenario, dengue can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever. In addition to persistent fevers, victims experience internal and/or external hemorrhaging. While this is the most severe form, recovery is entirely possible. However, complications can develop and prove fatal for individuals who have already contracted another type of dengue. This is called 'dengue with shock syndrome'. Be aware that there is also a form of dengue without symptoms. As the name suggests, the virus goes unnoticed!

In any case, you must consult a doctor quickly at the slightest suspicion. Indeed, detecting dengue as early as possible will reduce your chances of developing complications. Remember that fatal cases are often linked to delayed diagnosis!

A viral disease that keeps spreading

Once limited to Southeast Asia, dengue continues to spread. In Thailand, the problem is so severe that the mosquito transmitting dengue has reportedly mutated. According to research, the period of dengue transmission has expanded. Thus the mosquito is gaining ground outside the rainy season as it adapts increasingly well to dry conditions. All reasons that explain the alarming increase in dengue cases in Thailand in recent months.

Just last June, authorities declared that the number of dengue cases in Thailand was twice higher than the previous year. To give you an idea, between January and June 2019, approximately 20,000 dengue cases were recorded!

How can you avoid it?

Unlike other viral diseases caused by mosquitoes, dengue has no preventive treatment. The only way to avoid it is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. For this, we recommend you:

•    **Wear covering clothing**: long-sleeved t-shirts, trousers… Especially at sunrise and sunset.

•    **Apply mosquito repellent** to exposed areas of your skin. You can also use repellents for clothing.

•    **Use a mosquito net** at night and don't forget to close it before 6 p.m. If you have a fan, it's also a good way to disrupt the flight of insects!

•    **Use special outdoor repellents**: such as mosquito coils or use natural alternatives (essential oils, cloves…)

•    **Avoid stagnant water**: since they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes!

•    Avoid foods with high acid secretion like potatoes, bread, or heavily salted products that attract mosquitoes.

•    **Favor foods that deter mosquitoes**: such as garlic, lemon, chili peppers, rosemary, basil, or citrus fruits. Thais also claim that bananas are effective. Of course, simply consuming them won't be enough to avoid bites—it's just an additional way to keep them away!

Absolutely note this:

If you have dengue symptoms, remember to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Your doctor will be able to give you appropriate medications to relieve your pain, but one thing is certain: it is strongly advised against taking aspirin as this can cause serious bleeding…

To learn more about dengue, visit the Pasteur Institute website https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/fiches-maladies/dengue

Florine Dergerlet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, to listen, to understand. Because for her, traveling isn't about checking countries off a map, but weaving connections (often invisible but always powerful) with places, peoples, and all sorts of creatures from the animal kingdom. Her motto? Advise travelers with ethics, awaken their consciousness about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble and sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories are often born far from the spotlight, in the shadow of a path, during a conversation, or in the subtle breath of a world we finally take time to listen to…