Don't let a mosquito ruin your vacation: Everything you should know about Dengue
- nakshatrah2
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
If you’ve been planning a trip to a tropical country, you’re probably thinking of sun-soaked beaches, cool summer waters, and a margarita by the pool. You step off the plane, unpack your suitcases, slather on sunscreen, and head to that beachside café you spotted on your way to the hotel.
There’s a pinch—you smack your arm. Another pinch, another smack—and you see something red and black. Was that a mosquito?You suddenly remember your friend warning you about diseases from mosquito bites. Dengue? Malaria? Did you take the vaccine? Is there a vaccine even?
In this article, we’ll delve into Dengue—a disease that has plagued humans since ancient times. We’ll explore the basics: what it is, what types of mosquitoes carry the disease, where it's found, symptoms and signs, treatment, common myths, and more.
What is Dengue?
Dengue is a viral fever found most commonly in tropical and subtropical regions. It’s spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito (a type of mosquito characterized by its black and white body), which is also the vector (an insect that carries a disease) for other illnesses like yellow fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya.
While there are rare cases of transmission through blood transfusions, organ transplants, or from mother to baby, dengue is almost always spread by a mosquito bite.
It is NOT transmitted by touching or sharing a room with an infected person.
The bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito causes dengue. Unlike malaria mosquitoes, which bite during the night, Aedes aegypti bites during the day (here’s a quick way to remember: D = Dengue = Day). The mosquito tends to bite more during early mornings and late evenings.
It’s found commonly in tropical and subtropical regions like South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, and some parts of Africa. Aedes aegypti primarily breeds in areas with stagnant water, especially during the rainy season, as it favors the humidity and warm temperatures.
Why is Dengue Awareness Important?
You may ask, “But I don’t live in these countries, why should I care?”
Dengue is a preventable disease that needs more public awareness, especially among travelers. People visiting popular tropical tourist destinations are at higher risk. Many don’t realize that they’re vulnerable, and that there’s no specific treatment or widely-available vaccine to prevent dengue (a vaccine does exist—but we’ll talk about that later).
Getting sick in a foreign country can be a huge hassle, especially considering the overwhelmed healthcare systems during outbreaks, dealing with insurance and medical bills, extending your stay, and missing up your travel plans. After all, nobody wants to get sick on vacation.
Signs and Symptoms:
So let’s get down to the symptoms and signs you’ll need to watch out for:
• Body aches and joint pain, especially behind the eyes
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rashes that won’t go away
• Bleeding from the nose and gums
• High fever
• Headaches
Symptoms usually start a few days (4–10) after the bite. Warning signs such as bleeding gums, vomiting blood, or severe abdominal pain need to be checked out by a doctor immediately.
When else should you see a doctor? If your symptoms begin after traveling to a place with an outbreak of cases or if you experience persistent fever or any of the warning signs above, it’s better to consult with a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
What Really Happens in the Body When You’re Infected?
Dengue is usually classified into different types—mainly DHF (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever) and DSS (Dengue Shock Syndrome). DSS is a more severe form of DHF.
The process from infection to symptom is long and complex, some parts of it not yet understood completely.
But to simplify: when an Aedes aegypti mosquito bites, the dengue virus enters your bloodstream. It then moves into the lymphatic system and begins destroying white blood cells and platelets. It also infects organs like the spleen and liver. This causes blood vessels to become fragile and reduces the ability of your blood to clot—leading to increased bleeding and serious complications.
How is it diagnosed and treated?
The virus releases a protein into the bloodstream called NS1 Antigen, which is highly specific and exclsuive to dengue. Blood tests to detect this antigen along with other antibodies to can confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor may also order a full blood count and other tests to monitor levels of white blood cells and platelets to determine how severe the infection is.
Treatment:
There’s no specific treatment available as such.
Medical care focuses on managing specific symptoms.
While mild dengue can be treated at home, it's always advisable to follow a healthcare provider’s instructions to ensure full recovery. It’s important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.
For fever or pain, paracetamol (Tylenol) is preferred. Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin as they increase the risk of bleeding.
In more serious cases, a doctor may recommend a platelet transfusion if your levels have dropped too low. (Platelets are vital for your blood to clot.) Most people recover in about a week with proper rest and fluids.
How to Prevent It?
(This is the most valuable section for travelers.)
Since there’s no cure, the best way to deal with dengue is to avoid getting it in the first place. Prevention really is the best cure.
If you’re traveling to a dengue-endemic area, follow these tips:
• Use effective insect repellents. They commonly contain DEET, picaridin, or N,N-Diethylbenzamide. These come in sprays, creams, lotions, and fabric roll-ons. Many are child and baby safe.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially during early mornings and late evenings. Wear socks and shoes to cover exposed skin.
• Use screens, air conditioning, or mosquito nets while sleeping.
• Use indoor mosquito control measure like liquid vaporizers, coils, aerosol sprays, and mosquito repellent cards.
• Eliminate any stagnant water in pots, plant trays, buckets, or any discarded containers, because this is where mosquitoes breed and lay eggs.
Vaccine: Dengue vaccines do exist, but they aren’t given routinely to all travelers. According to the WHO, the vaccine Qdenga (TAK-003), made from weakened strains of the dengue virus, is the only currently approved vaccine. Although, not everyone can receive it. Check with your doctor, especially if you travel frequently or are visiting a high-risk country.
Common Myths:
Myth: "Mosquitoes only bite at night."
Fact: Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day. Malaria mosquitoes bite at night. So stay protected all the time.
Myth: "I already got it once, so I can’t get it again."
Fact: There are 4 different strains of the dengue virus. While you're immune to the one you had before, you can still catch the others. In fact, second infections can be more dangerous due to Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE). This is where antibodies from your first infection can help the new virus spread faster.
Myth: "Antibiotics work for dengue."
Fact: Antibiotics kill bacteria. Dengue is a virus, so antibiotics won’t help.
Myth: "Papaya cures dengue."
Fact: No scientifically proven foods cure dengue. While papaya leaf extract is a popular home remedy, there is no conclusive evidence yet that it helps in any way. Research is still ongoing.
Conclusion: Dengue is a very much preventable disease. It shouldn't stop you from going on your much-awaited vacation. Staying aware and taking the right precautions are all you need to stay safe. And if you do get symptoms, get tested and follow medical advice closely.
Remember—not every mosquito bite causes dengue, but almost all dengue cases come from a mosquito bite.
Sources:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengueAedes aegypti - Factsheet for experts
Symptoms of Dengue and Testing | Dengue | CDC https://share.google/BhBKPudLFVDEIGBb0
Vaccines and immunization: Dengue https://share.google/rjwCNsVDHkKI0Kzfg
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
