Dengue: Myths and truths about the disease

Dengue is caused by a virus transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease can be presented in the classic form, which causes fever and head and joint pain, and hemorrhagic, which, in addition to these symptoms, causes bleeding and can lead to death. In Brazil, dengue type 1, 2, 3 and 4 have already been found.

The main symptoms of the disease are: acute febrile illness lasting up to 7 days accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms: headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches, joint pain, prostration and redness in the body.

Dengue cases increase significantly between January and May, due to high temperatures and more rainfall. According to data from the Ministry of Health, by September 2013 there were over 1 million confirmed cases of Dengue in Brazil.

To help identify what is really true and popular belief about the disease, check out the article with information from the Ministry of Health's Dengue Primer:

1. Only females of Aedes aegypti sting

Truth. To hatch eggs, females need human blood.

2. Is smoking enough to prevent dengue fever?

Myth. It helps in reducing adult mosquitoes in the environment, but does not solve the problem on its own. It should be used in case of an outbreak or epidemic.



3. Aedes aegypti only stings in the legs

Myth. In general the mosquito prefers the region of the legs and feet, but the bite can happen in any other exposed area of ​​the body.

4. Only Acetaminophen and Dipyrone can be used by the Dengue patient.

Truth. In case of pain, Paracetamol and Dipirone should be used. Medicines that may trigger or worsen bleeding from the disease, such as Acetylsalicylic Acid and anti-inflammatories, should not be used.

5. The person who had the disease becomes immune after treatment

Myth. As there are four types of Dengue virus, the patient, when cured, is immune to that type that got sick. However, you may get sick again by one of the other three types.



6. It is possible for an infected person to pass the disease

Myth. Only the infected mosquito will transmit to man by the bite.

7. Repellents help prevent disease

Myth. Repellents can prevent mosquitoes, but have a non-lasting effect.

8. The mosquito does not bite at night

Truth. Dengue mosquito transmitter has daytime habit.

9. Any mosquito bite transmits the disease

Myth. The mosquito must be contaminated.

10. Mosquito larvae only grow in clean water

Myth. Mosquito eggs can also grow in dirty, still water.

11. Out of water, the egg with the virus can withstand more than a year

Truth. There are records of eggs that have spent up to 450 days without water. They can survive an entire winter.

12. Children and youth are more susceptible to disease

Truth. The circulation of different viral types that continuously infect people generates immunity in the adult population. Therefore, children and young people who have never come in contact with the circulating virus may be more susceptible to the development of the disease.

Tips to prevent

The best way to prevent dengue fever is to fight outbreaks of water accumulation, which are conducive to breeding the mosquito that transmits the disease. For this, it is important not to accumulate water in cans, packaging, plastic cups, soda caps, old tires, flower pots, flower jars, bottles, water boxes, drums, cans, cisterns, plastic bags and dumpsters, among others. others. The important thing is to dispose of any standing water reservoir, whether clean or dirty. To help combat Dengue put these tips into practice:

• Turn empty bottles upside down;
• Do not leave rubble in the yard or on the streets;
• Cover the water tank and pools;
• Store buckets face down;
• Put dirt or sand on the plant pot dishes;
• Remove leaves and dirt from gutters that make it difficult to drain water;
• Wash buckets and tanks that store water every week;
• Keep the dustbin properly covered;
• Store tires in a covered place away from rain;
• Keep water wells properly capped;
• Reduce the amount of dog, cat and bird drinkers and brush them when changing water;
• Keep the aquarium properly closed;
• Wash plants that accumulate water twice a week;
• Check for accumulated water in the trays of the air conditioners;
• Put protective screens on the windows.

Dengue Fever: Myths and other facts (May 2024)