Dengue fever

[lovedog100 1,372]

I'm not sure why there hasn't been any mention of Dengue fever in the English language press. Maybe they don't want to keep even more tourist away. Anyway, it's in the Thai language press. I'll give my warning here. I was diagnosed about a week ago. I went to the doctor feeling weak, my body hurt all over, and was starting to get a cough. It's been all down hill from there. I was told that they were seeing many cases of Dengue fever lately. Reading on the internet I found out that Thailand expected this because of the early rains. It' transmitted by the day time mosquito. Take my word for it, Dengue fever will ruin your holiday. Use a mosquito repellent during the day, something that has DEET in it, like OFF. You do not want to get Dengue fever, use the repellent.

Here is some of what I found from the World Health Organization.

Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedes mosquitoes. Mosquitoes generally acquire the virus while feeding on the blood of an infected person. After virus incubation for eight to 10 days, an infected mosquito is capable, during probing and blood feeding, of transmitting the virus for the rest of its life. Infected female mosquitoes may also transmit the virus to their offspring by transovarial (via the eggs) transmission, but the role of this in sustaining transmission of the virus to humans has not yet been defined.

 

Infected humans are the main carriers and multipliers of the virus, serving as a source of the virus for uninfected mosquitoes. The virus circulates in the blood of infected humans for two to seven days, at approximately the same time that they have a fever; Aedes mosquitoes may acquire the virus when they feed on an individual during this period. Some studies have shown that monkeys in some parts of the world play a similar role in transmission.

Characteristics

 

Dengue fever is a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults, but seldom causes death.

 

The clinical features of dengue fever vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever with rash. Older children and adults may have either a mild fever or the classical incapacitating disease with abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash.

 

Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, often with enlargement of the liver, and in severe cases circulatory failure. The illness often begins with a sudden rise in temperature accompanied by facial flush and other flu-like symptoms. The fever usually continues for two to seven days and can be as high as 41°C, possibly with convulsions and other complications.

 

In moderate DHF cases, all signs and symptoms abate after the fever subsides. In severe cases, the patient's condition may suddenly deteriorate after a few days of fever; the temperature drops, followed by signs of circulatory failure, and the patient may rapidly go into a critical state of shock and die within 12 to 24 hours, or quickly recover following appropriate medical treatment (see below).

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever.

 

For DHF, medical care by physicians and nurses experienced with the effects and progression of the complicating haemorrhagic fever can frequently save lives - decreasing mortality rates from more than 20% to less than 1%. Maintenance of the patient's circulating fluid volume is the central feature of DHF care.

Immunization

 

There is no vaccine to protect against dengue. Although progress is underway, developing a vaccine against the disease - in either its mild or severe form - is challenging.

 

* With four closely related viruses that can cause the disease, the vaccine must immunize against all four types to be effective.

* There is limited understanding of how the disease typically behaves and how the virus interacts with the immune system.

* There is a lack of laboratory animal models available to test immune responses to potential vaccines.

 

Despite these challenges, two vaccine candidates have advanced to evaluation in human subjects in countries with endemic disease, and several potential vaccines are in earlier stages of development. WHO provides technical advice and guidance to countries and private partners to support vaccine research and evaluation.

Edited August 15, 2010 by lovedog100

[BigDUSA 71]

When I was in the US Army we called Dengue fever, break bone fever because it felt like your bones were breaking. Very painful disease to come down with. The mosquito feeds primarily at dawn and dusk. Wear light colored clothing and DON'T wear cologne. Dark colored clothes and smelly cologne will draw the mosquito towards you. Buy DEET insect repellent at home and bring it with you. Use it every day. This is a disease you don't want to catch.

[yorta2 685]

I visited many places that dengue fever was prevalent in my 20 odd years in the R.A.N. and was lucky enough not to contract it. I reckon the mosquitoes were afraid of the alcohol that exuded from my body, and I've used the same anti-fever treatment ever since. Places like the Phillipines, Fiji, Thailand, Singapore, New Guinea - all had outbreaks at times when we were visiting. Mosquitoes still avoid me, but thank your gods that nothing else seems to be repelled by my state (or at least I don't think so, he he!).

[jacko 8,766]

When I was in the US Army we called Dengue fever, break bone fever because it felt like your bones were breaking. Very painful disease to come down with. The mosquito feeds primarily at dawn and dusk. Wear light colored clothing and DON'T wear cologne. Dark colored clothes and smelly cologne will draw the mosquito towards you. Buy DEET insect repellent at home and bring it with you. Use it every day. This is a disease you don't want to catch.

Not to be particularly contradictory Big D, but coincidentally there was a talk on Dengue fever by Dr Ian Corness at the Expats Club last week. I believe he said that the mosquito that carries dengue is a 'daytime' mosquitoe..... Edited August 15, 2010 by jacko

[BigDUSA 71]

Not to be particularly contradictory Big D, but coincidentally there was a talk on Dengue fever by Dr Ian Corness at the Expats Club last week. I believe he said that the mosquito that carries dengue is a 'daytime' mosquitoe.....

 

There are two types of mosquito that can transmit Dengue fever Aedes Aegpti and Aedes Albopictus. They tend to feed at dawn or dusk because their bodies will dry out during the day when the sun is out. If your in the shade during the day they will bite.

 

I pulled the following from the Queensland, Au web site:

 

How can I tell if it's an Asian tiger mosquito?

 

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is very similar to its cousin the dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti ) but has a characteristic stripe down the middle of its back. Some characteristics associated with the Asian tiger mosquito include:

 

It is a medium size mosquito (2-3mm), black in colour with white markings

The mosquito appears to be wearing black and white striped socks on its legs

It is active during the daytime and prefers to feed at dusk and dawn

It is an aggressive biter

It prefers to be outside in shady and sheltered bush environments

Where does the Asian tiger mosquito live?

 

The Asian tiger mosquito breeds in the same containers as the dengue mosquito. In addition, it breeds in natural containers in the bush such as tree holes, cut bamboo, banana trees and coconut shells. Unlike its domestic relative the dengue mosquito, the Asian tiger mosquito likes to live in the bush. The female lays her eggs along the inside wall of the water-filled container at the waters edge. The eggs are designed to survive periods of being dry and will “activate” or hatch upon contact with water again. The mosquito likes fresh water; it does not like salty, brackish, stagnant or dirty water.

 

For information view the Guide to the prevention of dengue mosquito breeding.

 

What is the breeding cycle of the Asian tiger mosquito?

 

The mosquito egg hatches when in contact with water. After the egg hatches, small wrigglers can be seen in the water. The wrigglers require approximately 7-10 days before emerging as adults. The adult mosquito lives approximately 1-2 months. The survival and life cycle of the mosquito varies depending on food sources and climatic conditions. Typically, it is the older mosquito that transmits disease.

 

How can I tell if it's a dengue mosquito?

 

The dengue mosquito looks like many other mosquitoes in north Queensland so it is difficult for the layperson to identify without the use of a microscope. As a rule of thumb, if you have mosquitoes biting you indoors during the day in north Queensland, it is likely that they are dengue mosquitoes.

 

 

The dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti) can more readily be identified by its behaviour. Look for these signs:

 

It likes to live indoors and bite people indoors

It is hard to catch; it moves very quickly, darting back and forth

It likes to hide under furniture and bite people around the feet and ankles

Its bite is often relatively painless, so people may not notice they are being bitten or they may think they are being bitten by sandflies/biting midges.

The adult mosquito prefers to rest in dark areas inside and under houses and buildings. Favourite resting spots are under beds, tables and chairs; in wardrobes and closets; on piles of dirty laundry and shoes; inside open containers; in dark and quiet rooms; and even on dark objects such as clothing or furniture.

 

 

The dengue mosquito prefers to bite humans during daylight. It is very cautious when biting, flying away quickly at the slightest disturbance. An effective way to kill adult mosquitoes is to apply a residual insecticide (cockroach surface spray) onto the areas where they prefer to rest.

 

Where does the dengue mosquito live?

 

The dengue mosquito is sometimes dubbed the ‘cockroach of mosquitoes’ because it is truly domesticated and prefers to live in and around people’s homes. It does NOT breed in swamps or drains, and does not often bite at night.

 

Where are the dengue mosquito breeding sites?

 

The dengue mosquito frequents backyards in search of containers holding water inside and outside the home, such as:

 

cans

buckets

jars

vases

pot plant dishes

birdbaths

boats

tyres – discarded with no rims

roof gutters blocked by leaves

striking containers (used to strike plants)

tarpaulins and black plastic.

It can also breed in natural containers like:

 

bromeliads

fallen palm fronds.

In drier conditions it also breeds in water in subterranean sites such as:

 

wells

telecommunication pits

sump pits

gully traps.

 

The dengue mosquito does not fly very far, so if you get rid of mosquito breeding sites around your home, you will significantly reduce your risk of being bitten by dengue mosquitoes.

 

For more information view the Guide to the prevention of dengue mosquito breeding.

 

How do dengue mosquitoes transmit dengue?

 

Dengue mosquitoes are common in Queensland but usually do not carry dengue. A female mosquito can only become infected with dengue after biting an infected human who is viraemic with dengue (ie. there are enough dengue virus particles in the person’s blood to infect a mosquito).

An infected person can transmit dengue to mosquitoes at home, at work or anywhere they visit. This can happen within 3-4 days of being bitten and can continue to do so up to 12 days.

 

Dengue is not spread directly from person to person.

In 8-10 days the infected mosquito is able to transmit the virus to other people. Thus the cycle of transmission takes only 14 days. One dengue-infected female mosquito is capable of biting and infecting several people during one feeding session.

QUOTE

Edited August 15, 2010 by BigDUSA

[Gary 4,100]

I can tell you first hand that Dengue Fever is a VERY miserable condition. I was eating aspirin like they were candy and they helped very little. When I finally broke down and allowed them to take me to the hospital the doctor wanted to know what I was taking for the pain. When I told him I was eating lots of aspirins, he immediately set up more tests.

 

I was told that aspirin thins the blood even more than Dengue and that he was certain I had no ulcers because if I had ulcers, I would have bled to death.

 

I posted this to let you know that if you contract this very painful condition, DON'T take aspirin for the pain. After the hospital stay, it took several weeks to get my strength back.

 

The worst part is that you develop NO immunity and can catch it again. There is no real treatment except inter-venous drip and to watch your blood count. Sometimes a blood transfusion is necessary.

[MM 6,562]

I'm not sure why there hasn't been any mention of Dengue fever in the English language press. Maybe they don't want to keep even more tourist away. Anyway, it's in the Thai language press. I'll give my warning here. I was diagnosed about a week ago.

 

That's rough, lovedog. Keep us informed of your progress in getting better.

 

This is a good warning to pay attention to.

 

Now I don't feel so bad about hardly ever going out during the day time.

[surry 30]

I caught Dengue fever in Thailand june 2009. I spent all my time in pattaya,apart from a few days in koh samet.

(where i think i caught it.) was'nt really well enough to come home,but decided to make the trip anyway.

 

I fell ill on the plane home & had to have oxygen, i was seen in the middle east by a doctor (on the stopover)and he said i was ok to complete my journey.

I was in hospital in the UK for five days in which time i had many blood tests. The doctors told me i caught Dengue fever

Believe me this is not something you want to catch,and it will take you a while to get over it.

 

Very good info from big D all correct. Now i put jungle formula mosquitoes repellent with 50% deet on in the daytime.

Take care. Steve

[Trvlr 50]

To add to the aspirin warning above, another common painkiller than can accelerate bleeding is Advil (ibuprofen). There are others too, including alcohol.

Tylenol (paracetamol) is probably the safest as far as bleeding goes. But, combined with alcohol, it can cause liver damage.

[joekicker 53]

I'm not sure why there hasn't been any mention of Dengue fever in the English language press. Maybe they don't want to keep even more tourist away.

 

Ask jacko about the great coverups in Thailand. He's got hundreds of them.

 

I'm not sure why you'd say such a thing without even doing a really fast search on Google. The English language press constantly "mentions" dengue. It's the rainy season. There are more mosquitoes. Dengue is a bitxh. That's why the press in all languages in Thailand "mentions" it so very, very often.

 

May you have the mildest case of dengue in history. This is a no-fun ailment without doubt. Get well soon, too.

 

.

Edited August 15, 2010 by joekicker

[satyr 15]

For the guys who caught dengue in Thailand. Did you catch it in Bangkok or Pattaya or was it up country somewhere? Is this disease more common in low season or high season?

 

Get well soon

[joekicker 53]

For the guys who caught dengue in Thailand. Did you catch it in Bangkok or Pattaya or was it up country somewhere? Is this disease more common in low season or high season?

 

It's most common in the rainy season, which starts about end of May in the North, and rolls on down - it's about middle of the rainy season now in Central/Pattaya. However, it is always around, and you can get it anywhere, Bangkok included. The past year it was more common in the South (across the bay from Pattaya) but it's not like malaria - there are no true safe zones and every region had lots of cases and some deaths.

 

.

[rogero 4]

When I was in the US Army we called Dengue fever, break bone fever because it felt like your bones were breaking. Very painful disease to come down with. The mosquito feeds primarily at dawn and dusk. Wear light colored clothing and DON'T wear cologne. Dark colored clothes and smelly cologne will draw the mosquito towards you. Buy DEET insect repellent at home and bring it with you. Use it every day. This is a disease you don't want to catch.

 

Good post BigD and I have already bought some to bring with me but surely det insect repellent is available in Patts ?

Last visit I purchased meds for what I thought was "hives" as I was too thick to realise the painful lumps on my legs were actually Mozzie bites

as they feasted on the Sangsom oozing out of my pores.

 

cheers rogero :clueless

[butterfly_guy 0]

up until recently i didnt even know there where mosquitoes in Thailand. As far as i am aware i have never been bitten or noticed myself getting bitten. That include my backpacking days. Maybe they no like me?

[BigDUSA 71]

I pulled this off of Consumer Report's web site:

 

Five repellents protected against deer ticks and two common types of mosquitoes for 8 hours or more. Four of those contain deet in varying levels. The Environmental Protection Agency judges deet safe when used as directed, but it has caused rare toxic reactions when misused. It shouldn't be applied to infants less than 2 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents with deet concentrations higher than 30 percent on any children. We think that no one needs a repellent with more than 30 percent deet.

 

The active ingredient in Repel is oil of lemon eucalyptus. (It's not recommended for children under 3.) Almost as effective was Natrapel, which protects with picaridin, a chemical newer than deet.

 

Bottom line

Most of the tested products will do the job if you're going to be outside for only a couple of hours, but look for a highly rated product to protect you on longer excursions.

 

The six top choices worked for at least 7 hours, though they feel and smell somewhat different. Cutter Backwoods leaves little scent or sensation; Off Deep Woods has a citrusy odor and filmy residue panelists wanted to wash off; Off FamilyCare has a fruity odor and dries quickly; 3M Ultrathon has a strong odor and leaves an oily feeling on the skin at first; Repel has a plastic beach-ball and citrusy odor and left little residue; Natrapel has a floral odor and is a little greasy.

Edited August 15, 2010 by BigDUSA

[jacko 8,766]

I can tell you first hand that Dengue Fever is a VERY miserable condition. I was eating aspirin like they were candy and they helped very little.

Extremely dangerous and unwise...dengue causes a severe drop in platelet count (clotting agent) and aspirin is the last thing you should be taking.

[jacko 8,766]

Ask jacko about the great coverups in Thailand. He's got hundreds of them.

Oh stop it, you and CT are like tweedle dumb and tweedledee!

[jacko 8,766]

Yes yes... a link would work fine.....

Dengue is transmitted to humans by the Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti or more rarely the Aedes albopictus mosquito, both of which feed exclusively during daylight hours

Wikipedia...

Source...

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Oh stop it, you and CT are like tweedle dumb and tweedledee!

 

Is that meant to be a SEVERE dig?

[BigDUSA 71]

Dengue is transmitted to humans by the Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti or more rarely the Aedes albopictus mosquito, both of which feed exclusively during daylight hours

Wikipedia...

Source...

 

Good point. When I was in the US Army Preventive Medicine School. We had a Major who was an Entomologist. He lectured on mosquito's especially on the Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus as these are prevalent in Vietnam and we had a fair number of combat troops come down with Dengue. It's true they feed during the day but primarily during dawn or dusk. Not so much during the day as the direct sun light dries their body out. During the day they like dark, shady places and if your sitting near them they will bites.

[Gary 4,100]

The Johnson product, OFF contains DEET and is commonly available Thailand wide. It is a good product.

 

I caught Dengue probably near Chachoengsao where I was working. I was living in Bangkok and the doctor told me that Dengue was not normally contracted in Chachoengsao or Bangkok.

 

I had no idea what my problem was so aspirin seemed a good idea at the time. I know better now. Not only is Dengue very painful, the fever is bad too. Shivering one minute and burning up the next minute.

[joekicker 53]

Oh stop it, you and CT are like tweedle dumb and tweedledee! allright

 

Final serious warning?

 

.

[MeGoDanceNow 4,281]

A friend of mine caught dengue, very nasty stuff. Utterly exhausted, stayed in hospital on IV drip for a couple of days.

 

Lovedog, hope you feel better soon.

[Skate 9]

All good reading.. I remember my first trip and first time into the flb... I was so nervious sitting

up at the bar talking to a BG.. she gave me the Thai sniff.. I was so embarious because I had put

deet on my neck.. she said yumm.. I thought this lady is crazy and bolted.. The Thai sniff seems to be a thing of

the past.. I use skin-so-soft now w/bug juice when I go out.. and Vita B complex before my trip.. usually ok in Ptts.

They love me.. but, so far ok..

[englishinsiam 15]

Sorry to hear you have it Lovedog hope you get well soon.

 

My Wife is diagnosing it every day in the hospital. There is is still H1N1 (Swine flu) about in Pattaya too.