Is there any Vaccine to Prevent Dengue ?
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne virus that affects more than 390 million people each year. While the disease is generally mild, it can be deadly also. At present there are no proper vaccines for preventing dengue and malaria. These mosquitoe borne diseases continue to plague and affect the human civilization. The most conflicting aspect is the silent signs and symptoms associated with the disease that can be misdiagnosed as common cold, flu or influenza. It is pivotal that the right specialist diagnoses you and you get the right medical attention, at the right time. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is essential.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Dengue:
Unlike other diseases, dengue has different symptoms depending on the stage it is in. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dengue’s most common symptoms are:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Severe pain behind eyes
- Joint pain
- Muscle and/or bone pain
- Rash
- Mild bleeding (ex. nose or gum bleed or easy bruising)
- Low white cell count
Common Prevention Aspects for Dengue:
As a mosquito-borne disease, preventing dengue is as simple as preventing mosquito bites. Unfortunately, there is not currently an approved dengue vaccine in india. To protect yourself from dengue, many health organizations suggest:
- Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants
- Treat clothes with repellents like permethrin
- Use EPA-registered mosquito repellent
- Consider using mosquito netting if you will be in an areas with many mosquitoes
- Make sure windows and doors screens are closed to avoid allowing mosquitoes into inclosed spaces.
- Avoid areas with standing water. Especially at times of high mosquito activity like dawn and dusk
India has developed an indigenous dengue vaccine candidate that offers protection from all four strains in clinical stages, a drug major announced the same recently, raising hopes of an effective shield against a disease that afflicts thousands of people in the country annually.
However, it is yet to be tested on humans and could take up to some years to be available to the public.
