Dengue Fever In Kids

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is also known as break-bone fever and generally spreads in the monsoon season in warm and humid weather. Also, Dengue mosquitoes are usually active during the day. Please note that Dengue in children can last for 4-7 days. So, don’t panic; instead, start taking immediate action. However,  the Dengue symptoms in kids are not as effective as others, but it may cause mild fever. Let’s understand more about Dengue, signs of Dengue, prevention tips, and its treatment.

What Is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is a viral ailment people by mosquito bites. The mosquitoes named Aedes Aegypti and Albopictus are the principal carriers of the illness. The virus that causes Dengue fever is known as Dengue virus (DENV). Symptoms include headache, fever, tiredness, severe muscular pain, and rashes. 

Dengue symptoms in kids 

Symptoms of Dengue are usually minor in younger children and people who are experiencing the sickness for the first time. Moderate to severe symptoms may occur in older children, adults, and people already infected. Below are the signs of Dengue in kids that you may observe: 

• Fever
• Pain behind the eyes
• Headache
• Bone, Muscle Or Joint Pain
• Nausea And Vomiting

Unfortunately, there is no specific vaccine available against Dengue; therefore, it is essential to protect yourself and your children from this deadly infection by adopting some preventive measures to keep the environment safe at home.

How Can Dengue Affect Your Child?

Dengue fever is a painful mosquito-borne viral infection spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It causes high temperature, skin rashes, vomiting, and dehydration. Dengue in children is usually mild to severe and can be detected with a blood test.

Dengue In Children Prevention Tips

1. Destroy Mosquito Habitat

The most crucial step towards treating Dengue at home is suppressing mosquito breeding places. The mosquitoes are responsible for Dengue breeding in standing water such as buckets, flowerpots, water tanks, air coolers etc. Therefore, you must always empty any stagnant water sources, not allowing these mosquitoes to breed. Moreover, never let wet waste accumulate near your home and keep your surroundings clean to reduce the risk of mosquitoes. So, keep a regular check for moist areas in your home.

2. Promote Plantation

Very few people know that mosquito-repelling plants expel natural gases. Therefore, at your home, plant mosquito-repelling plants like tulsi, eucalyptus, lemongrass, neem, etc. You may keep these plants close to your window as their properties prevent mosquitoes from entering your house.

3. Spray Pesticides Or Use Camphor

To prevent getting infected by Dengue at home, develop a habit of spraying pest spray every alternate day at your home. However, if you are allergic to chemicals, you can use camphor as one of the alternatives to mosquito repellent. You need to shut all the doors and windows at home and light the camphor for about 20-25 minutes. Camphor smoke can kill pests that spread diseases. With camphor, you can kill Dengue mosquitoes and even destroy their unhatched eggs.

Tips To Protect Your Child From Dengue Fever

As children usually play outdoors hence, they are more prone to Dengue fever because of mosquito bites. Therefore, it is essential to take the necessary precautions to protect your kids from Dengue mosquito bites. Here are some tips.

1. Use The Right Mosquito Repellent

For babies above the age of two months, you can use Natural Mosquito Repellent Patches which is 100% natural for kids and is co-created with Pediatricians. It’s very effective and works up to 24-hours. It is both waterproof and stain-free with long-lasting protection that keeps your infant safe from insects that cause Dengue, Chikungunya, and Malaria. You need to simply place the patch in your baby’s surroundings or on their clothes and wait for it to work its magic!

Buy now: BabyChakra’s 100% Natural Mosquito Repellent Patches for kids

2. Include Immunity-Boosting Food In Your Kids’ Diet

Surprisingly, a strong immunity also ensures strength to fight against Dengue fever. Therefore, serve your children immunity-boosting foods. You may include broccoli, turmeric, yoghurt, ginger, garlic, spinach, citrus foods and almonds. Also, give plenty of fluids to your children. A nutritionally-balanced diet will make children capable of fighting against the Dengue virus.

3. Wear Protective Or Fully-Covered Clothes

Your children wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts or t-shirts and pants. This will minimize the area of their exposed skin. You can even apply permethrin (medication and insecticide) to their clothing, shoes and even bed netting so that mosquitoes breeding around them is eliminated or minimized.

4. Stay In Well-Screened Housing Or Use A Mosquito Net

This is the most straightforward measure you can adopt to protect your children from Dengue. You need to keep your surroundings clean to eliminate the breeding of mosquitoes around your children. It would help if you made your children sleep under a properly sealed mosquito net bed.

Treatment Of Dengue In Kids

Dengue fever does not have a particular treatment. Mild fever can be treated by drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of rest to avoid dehydration. Acetaminophen-based pain medications can help with the headaches and discomfort associated with Dengue fever.

When it comes to Dengue in children, it may show a few symptoms. Dengue fever symptoms are similar to those of Malaria, Leptospirosis, and Typhoid Fever. Dengue prevention and measures are preferable to Dengue treatment once the disease has been detected. You can prevent your children from Dengue fever by adopting a few lifestyle modifications and taking extra care. 

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