Steering clear of Dengue: The 5 best tips to protect yourself from dengue

Dengue cases in the national capital have never been higher than it is right now. A civic report revealed that Delhi has already recorded more than 5,000 cases – the highest since 2015. A closer examination of the report shows that 5,277 dengue cases have been registered. What is alarming is that the severity of the infection has increased this year, meaning that individuals who recovered from dengue in the past can contract it again.

This is a serious cause for concern and raises questions about what the public health authorities are doing to contain its spread. The best and the simplest way to prevent dengue is by remaining alert. That being said, allow us to give you the 5 best tips to protect yourself from dengue.

1. Know your enemy

There is no substitute for remaining vigilant and aware of the possible types of dengue infection. It also pays to know the various symptoms to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Dengue is spread through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and unlike malaria-causing mosquitoes which are active at night, the Aedes variant favors the daytime to indulge in their mischief.

2. Pro-Protection

It is advisable to use mosquito repellants. Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to certain types of repellents so care must be taken to utilize suitable repellents at all times. Creams, patches, repellent bands, and wipes are some of the most commonly used preventive measures. This point forms the core principle of the 5 best tips to protect yourself from dengue.

3. Cleanliness is next to godliness

Keeping your surroundings clean goes a long way in ensuring mosquitoes are not frequent guests in your living quarters. This goes hand in hand with eliminating potential mosquito breeding grounds.

4. Long sleeves save lives

When we talk about the 5 best tips to protect yourself from dengue, it would be incomplete without the famous long sleeves. The easiest measure you can take is also one of the most important ones. Reducing the area of real estate exposed to mosquito bites is surprisingly very effective in preventing dengue.

5. Light up your home

A well-lit living space not only improves the mood and reduces strain on your eyes but also prevents mosquitoes from coming in. Mosquitoes love dark places. Depriving them of a suitable dark corner will ensure you and your loved ones remain protected.

There is a reason why doctors recommend visiting a medical practitioner the moment you exhibit symptoms of any particular infection. When it comes to dengue, this is crucial. A timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment can save you from weeks of unpleasant existence. Symptoms of dengue start showing up 4-5 days after an Aedes mosquito bites an individual. Fevers of 104⁰ are the first signs followed by headache, nausea, vomiting, and even rashes. Dengue is a preventable disease if one takes care. As the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure.

Daniel Martin

Daniel is our UK-based freelance Editor. As part of our quest towards credible news, Doctor's Clinic Blog India affiliates with individuals from other parts of the world to provide an in-depth focus on essential topics. Daniel received his degree from the University of Sheffield, and since then, worked to multiple sites as a freelance contributor and editor.