CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION IN CHILDREN

Symptoms
of Dengue in Children
The rain brings
along the Aedes Mosquitoes: the universal carrier of virus spreading deadly
diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya.
Dengue generally starts like a viral fever in younger children, a runny
nose, cough, and a mild rash on the skin. Not all children will have all the
symptoms and may have either one or more of the following. Some
children may show mild symptoms that usually appear anytime within four days to
two weeks after they first get the bite from the Dengue-carrying infected
mosquito. The symptoms, once they appear, will stay for about two to seven
days.
2.
Joint pains and dull and
continuous pain behind the eyes
3.
Frequent headaches and chills
4.
Red and white patchy rashes,
itchiness
on the soles of the feet: Your child may seem to get
bruised easily. The body rashes can also be itchy
and may show up after a few days when the fever first begins.
5.
Common cough and cold
6.
Abdominal pain, Vomiting or Nausea
7.
Bleeding from nose and gums:
The
reason this could happen is that your child will experience a low platelet
count due to dengue fever.
8.
Dehydration and loss of appetite
9.
Difficulty breathing
10.
Low blood pressure
Causes
of Dengue in Children:
Dengue is caused
when bitten by Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The mosquito bites an infected human,
carries the dengue virus and now whoever it bites contracts Dengue. Dengue does
not pass from a person to person; rather it’s the mosquito which carries the
virus. There
are four different viruses that cause Dengue fever. Once infected by a
particular virus, the person become immune to it, but the danger of getting
infected by other three viruses still exists.
The most common
type of mosquito that helps to spread Dengue fever further is the female tiger
mosquito. It is a type of mosquito found in the tropical and subtropical areas
in South East Asia and is also known by the name of Asian tiger mosquito. The
main distinguishing mark on the female tiger mosquito is the black and white
stripes all over its legs and body.
Diagnosis
of Dengue in children
At
Home:
1.
As a parent you will definitely
observe a difference in the behaviour
of the child. S/he will be easily
irritated, tired and depressed. The usual restlessness and liveliness will
be missing as will be their appetite. Dengue
renders a person very pale and weak.
2.
In addition to it, will be the physical symptoms of rashes, fever
and joint pain that the child will start complaining about. But since there is
a very thin line differentiating the fever from chikungunya to Dengue, you
better rush to the doctor, if the fever or the rashes don’t stop.
At the
Doctor’s Clinic:
1.
The doctor will ask you several questions related to the symptoms and exposure to mosquitoes of your child;
your travel history etc.
2.
He will advise a blood test to
detect presence of Dengue virus.
3.
Occasionally, a complete blood
count may also be suggested to check how badly the blood platelets have
dropped.
Prevention
of Dengue in Children
There is no vaccine to treat Dengue hence
prevention is the only key to safeguard your children. The best way is not to
let any mosquitoes breed near your house, the child’s surroundings and the
parks or gardens.
General
Prevention: Hygiene and Sanitation of your surroundings
2.
Get rid of all stagnant water, which may be
accumulated in Cooler tanks, flower pots, water buckets at home – dengue
mosquitoes breed here.
3. Close windows and doors before evening, as
this is the time when mosquitoes try to enter home.
4.
Try installing mosquito mesh – at
least to the doors and windows of your child’s room.
5.
Use mosquito nets at night.
6.
Use natural remedies such as
spraying bleaching powder in and around the house, placing neem leaves at
corners of the house.
Personal
Prevention: Use of Mosquito Repellants
1.
Use mosquito repellent creams such
as Odomos, sprays, mats, coils and /or bands which can be applied anytime
anywhere
2.
Dress your children in full sleeved
T-shirts and full track pants/ leggings when they play in the evenings or
beyond the sunset.

4.
Make sure they do not play in
parks/ gardens where the grass is tall and where there is stagnant water
around. Such areas can be best for mosquitoes to breed, and your child will
have a high chance of getting a mosquito bite.
5.
Since rest and nutritious light
diet is the only way to get rid of dengue, you can try some home remedies to
prevent dengue. Use Tulsi leaves (Basil leaves) and / or papaya leaves to cure
the fever.
Try to make the children come back home before sunset and engage them through
interesting activities at home. Something more about that next time. Till then
Happy
Parenting.