TRANSMISSION

Dengue is a disease caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, such as Aedes aegypti (the main vector), Aedes Albopictus, Aedes polynesiensis and Aedes scutellaris, after they have bitten an infected individual, and these mosquitoes usually bite during the day. Dengue is not transmitted from person to person or through the air or objects with which the mosquito has come into contact. Children and the elderly are most susceptible and travelers are the most predisposed. Adults living in endemic areas are also at risk.

SYMPTOMS

After being bitten, the disease can take between 4 and 10 days to manifest itself. Therefore, travelers should be on the lookout for possible symptoms that appear between the 4th day after arriving in the risk zone and the second and third week after returning. Dengue can be asymptomatic, but it can also manifest as mild symptoms or, in some cases, more serious ones.

The most common symptoms resemble those of the flu and include:

• Sudden high fever (40ºC);
• Severe headaches;
• Muscle and/or joint pain;
• Pain in the back of the eyes (rectorbital);
• Nausea and/or vomiting;
• Swollen glands;
• Skin blemishes.

In the presence of fever and at least 2 more of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor.

The most serious form of the disease is manifested by:

• Intense abdominal pain;
• Bleeding gums;
• Persistent vomiting (with or without blood);
• Gasping for breath;
• Tiredness and restlessness.
• In this case, you should immediately go to the nearest hospital.

TREATMENT

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. It is recommended that you consult your doctor, rest, drink plenty of water and, if necessary, take medication containing paracetamol to relieve fever and pain. Do not take medicines containing acetylsalicylic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen) as they increase the risk of bleeding.

PREVENTION

The only preventative measure available in Portugal is protection against mosquito bites:

• For adults, use insect repellent, preferably containing 20 to 35% DEET, IR3535® or 20% Icaridin, on all exposed areas of skin, repeating the application every 3-4 hours in a tropical environment;
• Use socket diffusers; For children under 2 months, do not apply repellent, but opt for mosquito nets, repellent devices that do not contact the skin or apply a repellent suitable for the age group to the fabrics;
• Keep windows closed and use mosquito nets in areas where the disease is present;
• Wear light-colored clothes that cover as much of your body as possible;
• Stay away from areas of greater risk, for example, where there is standing water; Eliminate mosquito breeding sites, for example, by preventing the storage of stagnant water and resorting to the use of larvicides;

copyright © by the National Association of Pharmacies 

revision: june 2018

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