Understanding Dengue & Malaria
1/17/2018 9:42:42 AM
DENGUE
Fast facts in Vietnam
- Unstable: the peak of the epidemic from June to October every year
- Most cases and deaths are in the South. 90% of deaths are among those under 15
Transmission
- Four types of dengue viruses; commonly transmitted by the Aedes aegypti
- Mother to child transmission
Incubation
- Depending upon the type of the virus and the level of immunity
- Symptoms usually begin four to six days after infection
Symptoms
- High fever
- Severe headaches
- Pain behind the eyes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Nausea and vomitting
- Skin rash
- Bleeding from nose and gums
- Hypoproteinemia (low protein), hypoalbuminema (low albumin)
- Pleural effusion (fluid in the lungs), ascites (fluid in the stomach area), hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Diagnosed by the MAC-ELISA test
Treatment
- There is currently no cure for dengue fever
- Treatment for dengue fever involves trying to relieve the symptoms
- Stay hydrated, sleep enough and relieve the fever
Prevention
- There is a vaccine but only for those over 9 years old
MALARIA
Fast facts in Vietnam
- Artemisinin resistance is increasing
- Most cases and deaths are in the Coastal Middle and the Central Highlands
Transmission
- Transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito
- Infected blood used in a blood transfusion and organ donation
- Mother to child transmission
- Blood injections
Incubation
- Depending upon the type of malaria, immune system, and the health of spleen
- Symptoms usually begin seven to eighteen days after infection. However, those who have taken prophylaxis (medication to prevent infection) may not show symptoms until a year has passed, and sometimes longer.
Symptoms
- High temperature. The temperature may reach as high as 40°C (104 °F).
- Sweats and chills
- Headaches
- Muscle pains
- Nausea and vomitting
- Diarrhoea
- Severe symptoms may include disorientation, liver failure, kidney failure, respiratory failure, coagulopathy
- Diagnosed by the blood film test
Treatment
- Artemisinin
- Treatments involving trying to relieve the symptoms and complications
Prevention
- There is a vaccine but only experimental for the time being
GENERAL PREVENTION
- Avoid mosquito bites: spray, skin scream, wearing long-sleeved clothes when sleeping, sleeping nets, deodorant...
- Fresh, clean environment, removing standing water, damp areas,... which are reproductive environments for mosquitoes