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Medical Articles

Dengue fever is a mosquito transmitted disease which is quite prev- There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Patient are treated
alent in Malaysia. Selangor state often tops the chart with the symptomatically. For fever and body pain, Paracetamol is the choice

highest number of incidences. of drug. Patients are also requested keep hydrating themselves.
However if the platelets readings are lower than 50 it
The fever is transmitted by the female Aedes
is wise to be admitted in the hospital for further
aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes which
management to avoid any complications.
are infected with a dengue virus. These mosquitoes
mostly breed in man-made containers with stagnant Prevention of the disease involves protecting yourself
water such as water storage containers, flower and making efforts to keep the mosquito population
pots, discarded tires, plates under potted plants, down by:
cemetery vases, buckets, tin cans, clogged rain
 Use of mosquito repellents, even indoors
gutters, water bowls for pets, birdbaths, etc.
 Wearing light-coloured long sleeved shirts and long pants
Symptoms, which usually begin 4 to 6 days after infections may
while outdoors
include sudden high fever (40 - 41℃ ), severe headaches, pain

behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, abdominal  Installing insect screens on doors and windows
discomfort, vomiting, loss of appetite, skin rash and mild bleeding  Using mosquito nets, coils and vaporizers
from nose and gums. These symptoms may last 2 - 10 days. The
 Eradication of mosquito breeding grounds such as old tires,
rash usually appears on day 3 and 4 after the onset of fever.
cans, flower pots and ornamental fountains that collect rain
Severe form of dengue is potentially deadly complication due to
 Regularly change water in pet’s water bowls and birdbaths
plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe
bleeding or organ impairment. This is Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.  Emptying, cleaning and covering water storage containers
Patients need proper medical care to avoid risk of death. weekly

Diagnosing dengue fever is done by blood test to check for the virus  Use of insecticides on water storage containers

or antibodies to it.
See our doctors or call us
At SP Care Clinic, the doctors will advice patients to do two blood immediately if you think

you
investigations. First is the Full Blood Count (FBC). This may have dengue
investigation allows us to evaluate the concentration of white blood fever. Early diagnosis is
cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT). The reduction of the both these important to reduce risk
parameters denotes possible dengue viral fever. To further confirm of complications.
the diagnosis, we do another test called NS1 antigen. This is a
REFERENCE
specific test for early stage of dengue fever. NS1 is usually

recommended on the first 3 days. For further confirmation or if the http://
fever lasts more then 3 days, we recommend Dengue IgM/IgG test. denggi.myhealth.gov.my/
This is an dengue antibody test. what-is-dengue/=en

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