6 Common Myths About Dengue Busted for You | AU Small Finance Bank
Gateway to Digital Life. Download AU 0101.
Search for a product
Blogs > As Dengue Cases Rise, A Few Common Myths Busted
ApplyNow_Products

As Dengue Cases Rise, A Few Common Myths Busted

    Dengue, a vector-borne disease is grabbing a lot of attention these days. Yes, you read it right. According to the latest reports, the disease has affected a number of people this year. While dengue is controllable and very much curable, we aim to debunk some common myths about this disease, so that you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
     

    • Myth:Dengue is a mild infection

    Fact: Dengue can be both mild/harmless and severe/complicated as well. You may experience mild symptoms initially.  However, carelessness or delayed treatment can lead to complications like breathing difficulty, liver failure, confusion, internal bleeding, etc.
     

    • Myth:Dengue is contagious

    Fact: Dengue is transmitted to humans through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes. It does not spread through cough or sneezing. Cases of dengue transmission through blood transfusion or organ transplantation are also rare.
     

    • Myth:Any mosquito bite can and would lead to dengue

    Fact: Dengue can only be transmitted through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes. Also, they can transfer the disease only when they themselves are infected by dengue.
     

    • Myth:Only kids and older people are vulnerable to dengue

    Fact: This is not at all true. Dengue can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic condition. What really increases your risk of developing dengue fever is a weak immune system and unhygienic surroundings.
     

    • Myth:Low platelets means you have dengue

    Fact: Low platelet count characterizes dengue. But, a low count always doesn’t mean that you are infected by this particular disease. Apart from the drop in platelet count, if you have fever your chances of suffering from dengue are quite significant.
    Note: High fever may also indicate other infections like yellow fever, leptospirosis, chikungunya, HIV, scrub typhus, etc. Only a thorough medical test can help you detect the right disease.
     

    • Myth:Dengue mosquitoes bite only during day time

    Fact: This is not entirely true! Aedes mosquitoes are usually active during the day. However, pieces of evidence claim that these mosquitoes bite people during the night too - especially in areas that are well lit.
     

    • When Should One Get Concerned?

    You should seek doctor’s advice immediately if you experience symptoms like recurrent vomiting, intolerable severe aches, headache/body ache, high-grade fever, low BP, drowsiness, severe exertion, bleeding from any body part, rapid fall in platelets, etc.

    This infection might cure in a couple of days with the right medication and treatment, but to fully recover, it takes a few months.

     

    • Preventive Tips for Dengue:

    • Keep your surroundings clean and tidy.
    • Use a mosquito repellent spray or lotion on your body and stay in well-screened areas.
    • Avoid leaving any containers of standing water outside where mosquitoes can breed.
    • Meet your doctor immediately if you have been in an area endemic to dengue fever or if you have any illness with fever that lasts for more than two days.
    • Intake a lot of fluid to avoid dehydration.
    • Eat immune-boosting food items.

    Throughout the years, many health myths have arisen. Some are tried, tested and taken as fact, but others are nothing more than rumors.  Ensure you learn the truth about the most common health myths and don’t’ risk your life due to carelessness and negligence.

    Finally, remember, precaution is always better than cure. It is better and more useful to meet a problem in time than to seek a remedy after the damage is done.