Dengue fever is a serious illness caused by the dengue virus, which spreads mainly through the bites of the dengue mosquito, known scientifically as Aedes aegypti. This mosquito is common in tropical and subtropical areas and poses a significant public health risk. It’s important to know how to protect yourself from dengue mosquito bites and prevent them from breeding to reduce the spread of dengue fever.

Dengue Mosquito

The dengue mosquito is a small, dark insect that has lyre-shaped markings on the top surface of its thorax and white markings on its legs. It is well-known for biting during the day, especially in the early morning and right before dark. Because they breed in standing water, these mosquitoes are especially dangerous in urban settings with poor sanitation.

Severe Dengue

Severe dengue is a potentially fatal dengue virus consequence marked by severe bleeding, organ damage, and plasma leakage. Severe abdominal pain, continuous vomiting, fast breathing, bleeding gums, exhaustion, restlessness, and shock-like symptoms are some of the symptoms of severe dengue. Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) is a severe form of dengue that can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs, liver enlargement, and circulatory collapse. For the treatment of severe dengue, prompt medical attention is essential. This includes supportive care in a hospital setting and fluid replacement therapy.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

When a female mosquito carrying the dengue virus bites another, it can spread the illness to that person. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector of transmission. While mosquitoes are the main means of transmission from humans to humans, maternal transmission—that is, transmission from a pregnant mother to her unborn child—is also a possibility. Still, there’s little chance of this happening, and the mother’s dengue infection should happen at a certain point in the pregnancy. Preterm deliveries, low birth weights, and fetal distress are just a few of the issues that can arise from a mother contracting dengue during her pregnancy and the virus’s subsequent transfer to the unborn child.

When does dengue mosquito bite

The early morning and late afternoon are the busiest times for the dengue mosquito, also called Aedes aegypti. Effective prevention of dengue mosquito bites requires knowledge of when to expect bites. During the day, these mosquitoes like to bite, especially in enclosed or shaded settings. You can lower your chance of contracting dengue fever by implementing preventative measures, such as applying repellents and donning protective garments during peak mosquito bite periods, when dengue mosquitoes bite.

Preventing Dengue Mosquito Bites

The best defense against dengue fever is to prevent getting bitten by a dengue mosquito. Here are a few useful pointers:

• Use Repellents: Spray DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus-containing repellents on exposed skin and clothing to keep mosquitoes away.
• Put on Protective Clothes: Especially during times when mosquito activity is at its highest, put on long sleeves and long pants.
• Employ Mosquito Nets: If you reside in or visit high-risk areas, it is especially advisable to sleep beneath mosquito nets.
• Put Screens on Windows and Doors: To keep mosquitoes out of the house, make sure that screens are installed on windows and doors.

Controlling Dengue Mosquito Breeding

In order to lower the dengue mosquito population and stop the disease from spreading, it is imperative to regulate dengue mosquito reproduction. Among the efficient control strategies are:

• Remove Any Standing Water: Dengue mosquitoes love to reproduce in anything that can hold standing water, such as flower pots, buckets, and old tires.
• Use Larvicides: To kill mosquito larvae, apply larvicides to water storage containers that cannot be emptied.
• Introduce Biological Control: To lower mosquito populations, use biological control agents such as fish that consume mosquito larvae.
• Frequently Clean and Cover Water Storage: To stop mosquitoes from breeding, make sure water storage tanks are adequately covered and cleaned on a regular basis.

The Best Repellents for Dengue Mosquitoes

Dengue mosquitoes can be effectively repelled by a variety of repellents. Among the greatest choices are:

• DEET-based repellents: DEET can offer enduring protection and is quite successful at keeping mosquitoes away.
  Compared to DEET, picaridin is a less irritant on the skin and is also an efficient repellent.
  For individuals who would rather use natural remedies, the oil of lemon eucalyptus is a wonderful option. It provides good protection against mosquito bites.
• Clothing treated with permethrin: Clothing treated with permethrin has the ability to repel and instantly kill insects upon contact.

Treatment of Dengue Fever

After being bitten by a dengue mosquito, if you think you have dengue fever, you should consult a doctor right away. Dengue does not currently have a particular antiviral treatment; however, supportive care can help control symptoms. Important elements of care consist of:

• Hydration: To prevent dehydration, consume lots of liquids.
  Acetaminophen, often known as paracetamol, is used to relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and aspirin should be avoided, as they raise the risk of bleeding.
• Rest: To aid your body in battling the illness, get lots of rest.

Tips to Prevent Dengue Mosquito Breeding in Your Home

Use these extra ideas to stop dengue mosquitoes from developing near your home in order to further protect your family and yourself from dengue fever:

• Clean Gutters: To stop water from building up, make sure your gutters are cleaned on a regular basis.
• Cover Water Tanks and Containers: Water storage tanks and containers should be covered with tight-fitting lids.
• Get Rid of the Trash Correctly: Get rid of anything that can catch water, including old tires and cans, in an appropriate way.
• Replace the water in pet bowls and vases: To stop mosquitoes from breeding, replace the water in birdbaths, pet bowls, and flower vases on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Reducing the spread of dengue fever necessitates an understanding of the dengue mosquito and proactive strategies to avoid bites and manage reproduction. We can greatly reduce the danger of dengue fever by wearing protective clothing, getting rid of standing water, and using powerful mosquito repellents. Furthermore, managing the sickness and averting serious complications can be achieved by being aware of the symptoms of dengue fever and promptly seeking medical attention. Recall that the best defense against dengue fever is prevention, so take steps right now to shield your community and yourself from this harmful illness.