Understanding Dengue & Malaria

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