Dengue fever broke out strongly in November. Don't confuse it with Covid 19!

July to November every year - the time when Aedes mosquitoes develop the most, this is also the time when dengue fever breaks out. However, in 2021, "going hand in hand" with dengue fever is Covid 19 with quite similar initial symptoms: fever, cough, fatigue...

So how to distinguish dengue fever and Covid 19? Read the article below. nanofrance.com.vn for more details!

sốt xuất huyết

I. Things you need to know about dengue fever!

1. Dengue fever – What causes it?

Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the Dengue virus. The main vector is the Aedes Aegupti mosquito. We can get dengue fever if we are bitten by a mosquito carrying the Dengue virus.

The annual rainy season (from July to November) is the time when Aedes mosquitoes develop and reproduce the most. This is also the reason why dengue fever breaks out.

2. How do you know if you have the disease?

For adults and children, the symptoms of this disease are relatively similar: high fever, up to 40.5 degrees Celsius; joint pain, muscle pain; pain behind the eyes, rash, nausea, vomiting...

However, for children <1.5 years old, who cannot clearly feel and describe their body condition to adults, parents need to carefully monitor their temperature as well as external rash signs.

biểu hiện của sốt xuất huyết

Skin rashes

According to information from Bach Mai Hospital, since the beginning of September, hospitalizations related to dengue fever have increased sharply, with typical signs being: sudden high fever, body aches, rash, low platelet count... In particular, in 2021, the number of hospitalizations with severe complications increased such as: abdominal effusion, low platelet count with bleeding.

3. Stages of disease development

When infected with dengue fever, the patient will have to go through 4 stages of the disease: Incubation - Fever - Danger - Recovery:

Incubation period

The incubation period will last about 3-10 days. During this period, the patient usually has no symptoms. Therefore, even when we have dengue fever, it is difficult for us to know.

Fever stage

After the incubation period, the patient's body will show more obvious symptoms of dengue fever:

Sudden, persistent high fever
Headache
Body feels tired, nauseous, eye pain
Skin congestion, subcutaneous snow spots, bleeding gums

If these symptoms appear, go to the nearest medical facility for examination and treatment!

giai đoạn 2 của sốt xuất huyết

Dangerous phase

This is the most dangerous stage of dengue fever. The fever may decrease, however, signs of bleeding in the mucous membranes and organs, specifically: lethargy, eyelid edema, pleural effusion... The dangerous stage usually appears on the 3rd-7th day of the disease.

Recovery phase

After a dangerous period of about 24-48 hours, the patient will gradually recover: Fever will go away, appetite will increase, blood pressure will stabilize.

Dengue fever, if not detected and treated promptly, can be life-threatening.

II. What is the difference between dengue fever and Covid 19?

Dengue fever and Covid 19 both have the initial sign of FEVER. But how do you know which disease you have?

According to information from Ha Dong General Hospital (Hanoi), there are some cases of patients with symptoms such as: fever, body aches, headache, vomiting. But when tested, they were positive for Aedes Aegupti. Obviously, the symptoms are the same but the type of disease is completely NOT the same!

sốt xuất huyết và covid đều có biểu hiện sốt cao

Dengue fever and covid both have high fever symptoms

“The source of infection and epidemiological factors of dengue fever and Covid 19 are completely NOT THE SAME” – This is the affirmation of Associate Professor, Dr. Do Duy Cuong, Director of the Tropical Disease Center, Bach Mai Hospital. Specifically:

1. Epidemiological factors and sources of infection

First about the source of infection: Covid 19 is transmitted through the respiratory tract and contact. Dengue fever is transmitted through the blood by mosquito bites.

Regarding epidemiological factors: When tested, the epidemiology of patients with Covid 19 and dengue fever is completely different.

2. Distinguish through external signs

Dengue fever is characterized by: skin congestion, red face and sclera. If more severe, dengue fever can lead to shock due to blood concentration.

As for Covid 19, the typical symptoms are: Cough, difficulty breathing, stuffy nose, more severe is pneumonia and respiratory failure.

biểu hiện của covid

Covid's main symptoms are: Cough, fever, difficulty breathing

We can completely distinguish between these two diseases thanks to the above signs!

III. 3 types of medicine that should NOT be used when having dengue fever

When your body shows signs of illness, you should NOT buy medicine at the store on your own. In particular, you should avoid the 3 types of medicine on the list below:

1. Aspirin

Although Aspirin is very effective in reducing headaches and fever, for people with dengue fever, it is considered "poison". When using Aspirin, complications of dengue fever will become more severe, causing bleeding.

2. NSAID pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs

Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, their harmful effects on people with Covid 19 are similar. Complications related to bleeding also increase.

3. Anticoagulants

Many of us tend to choose anticoagulants with the hope of limiting the “bleeding” condition. But in fact, the effects of anticoagulants are completely opposite!

thuốc aspirin

Do not use Aspirin!

In short, using medicine incorrectly can be counterproductive and make the disease worse.

IV. It is better to prevent than to treat dengue fever!

Being bitten by a mosquito carrying the Dengue virus is the “main” cause of dengue fever. Therefore, minimizing mosquito bites is the best way to prevent the disease. The Ministry of Health has recommended that everyone should: