Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PRACTICES ABOUT DENGUE

The topic to be discussed is about dengue, which is a disease caused by a family of

viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes.

I. OBJECTIVES

1. Teach learners about dengue

2. Provide basic knowledge on how dengue is prevented, diagnosis, treatment,
and including its signs & symptoms
3. Increase the learners’ awareness on how dengue is transmitted
4. Realize the importance of giving health teachings especially in the community

II. OVERVIEW
The Department of Health said that 62,503 cases of the mosquito-borne illness have
been reported in the Philippines from January 1 to August 21, up nearly 90 percent from the
same period last year. The death toll was also up from 350 in the same period last year.
The department said the number of dengue cases in the country started to rise in May
and peaked last month at the onset of the rainy season.
The Department of Health said that 62,503 cases of the mosquito-borne illness have been
reported in the Philippines from January 1 to August 21, up nearly 90 percent from the same
period last year. The death toll was also up from 350 in the same period last year.
Millions of cases of dengue infection occur worldwide each year. Dengue fever is most common
in Southeast Asia and the western Pacific islands, but the disease has been increasing rapidly in
Latin America and the Caribbean.
Researchers are working on dengue fever vaccines. For now the best prevention is to reduce
mosquito habitat in areas where dengue fever is common.

III. CONTENT

1. What is dengue?
engue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by

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 Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

mosquitoes. strikes people with low levels of immunity. Because it is caused by one of four
serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of
dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was
exposed
Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes,
strikes people with low levels of immunity because it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus,
it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. The Aedes aegypti mosquito can transmit the
viruses that cause dengue fever. The female mosquito lays eggs in containers with water and
plants near the home. It bites people and animals. This species can survive year round in tropical
and subtropical climates. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that
particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Manifestations
include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Petechiae (small red or
purple blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are
all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can
progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Manifestations include
headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the body. Petechiae (small red or purple
blisters under the skin), bleeding in the nose or gums, black stools, or easy bruising are all
possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress
to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome.

2. Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of dengue fever vary, depending on the form and severity of the disease.

2.1 Dengue fever

With the mild form of the disease, you may experience some or all of these signs and symptoms:
 High fever, up to 105 F (40.6 C)
 A rash over most of your body, which may subside after a couple of days and then
reappear
 Severe headache, backache or both
 Pain behind your eyes
 Severe joint and muscle pain
 Nausea and vomiting

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 Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

Sign and symptoms usually begin about four to seven days after being bitten by a mosquito
carrying a dengue virus. Mild dengue fever rarely causes death, and your symptoms will usually
subside within a week after starting.
- Dengue hemorrhagic fever
More-severe forms of the disease usually begin the same way as the mild form (dengue
fever) then become worse after several days.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever — a more severe form of the disease than initial dengue fever —
can cause signs and symptoms of dengue fever plus:
 Significant damage to your blood and lymph vessels
 A decrease in the number of blood cells that help your blood clot (platelets)
 Bleeding from the nose and mouth
 Bleeding under the skin, which gives the appearance of bruising
 Death
2.2 Dengue hemorrhagic fever
More-severe forms of the disease usually begin the same way as the mild form (dengue fever)
then become worse after several days.
 Significant damage to your blood and lymph vessels
 A decrease in the number of blood cells that help your blood clot (platelets)
 Bleeding from the nose and mouth
 Bleeding under the skin, which gives the appearance of bruising

2.3 Dengue shock syndrome

The most severe form of the disease — may cause signs and symptoms of mild dengue fever
plus:
 Severe abdominal pain
 Frequent vomiting
 Disorientation
 Fluid (plasma) leakage from blood vessels
 Heavy bleeding
 Sudden drop in blood pressure (shock)

3. Causes

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 Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

Dengue fever is caused by any one of four types of dengue viruses spread by mosquitoes that
thrive in and near human lodgings. When a mosquito bites a person infected with a dengue virus,
the virus enters the mosquito. When the infected mosquito then bites another person, the virus
enters that person's bloodstream.
After you've recovered from dengue fever, you have immunity to the type of virus that infected
you — but not to the other three dengue fever virus types. The risk of developing severe dengue
fever, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, actually increases if you're infected a second,
third or fourth time.

4. Risk factors
Factors that put you at greater risk of developing dengue fever or a more severe form of the
disease include:
 Living or traveling in tropical areas, being in tropical and subtropical areas
increases your risk of exposure to the virus that causes dengue fever. Especially
high-risk areas are Southeast Asia, the western Pacific islands, Latin America and
the Caribbean.

 Previous infection with a dengue fever virus increases your risk of having severe
symptoms if you're infected again.

5. Complications
If severe, dengue fever can damage the lungs, liver or heart. Blood pressure can drop to
dangerous levels, causing shock and, in some cases, death.

Diagnostic Test
- Torniquet Test (Rumpel Leads Test)
- Inflate the blood pressure cuff on the upper arm to a point midway between the systolic and
diastolic pressure for 5 minutes.
- Release cuff and make an imaginary 2.5 cm, square or 1 inch square just below the cuff, at
the antecubital fossa.
- Count the number of petechiae inside the box.

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 Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

- A test is (+) when 20 or more petechiae per 2.5 cm square or 1 inch square are observed
How is it treated?
For a mild form of the disease:
 Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration from vomiting and high fever.
 Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to alleviate pain and reduce fever. Don't take
aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin,
others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others). These can increase the risk of bleeding
complications.
For a more severe form of the disease, treatment consists of:
 Supportive care in a hospital
 Intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement
 Blood pressure monitoring
 Transfusion to replace blood loss
6. Treatment and Diagnostic
Diagnosing dengue fever can be difficult, because its signs and symptoms can be easily confused
with those of other diseases — such as malaria, leptospirosis and typhoid fever. However, certain
laboratory tests can detect evidence of the dengue viruses, but test results usually come back too
late to help direct treatment decisions.
There is no specific medication to treat dengue. Treat the symptoms of dengue and see a
healthcare provider
For a mild form of the disease:
 Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration from vomiting and high fever.

 Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to alleviate pain and reduce fever. Don't
take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others). These can increase
the risk of bleeding complications.
For a more severe form of the disease, treatment consists of:
 Supportive care in a hospital
 Intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement.
 Blood pressure monitoring
 Transfusion to replace blood loss.

7. Prevention

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 Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

One dengue fever vaccine, Dengvaxia, is currently approved for use in those ages 9 to 45 that
live in areas with a high incidence of dengue fever. The vaccine is given in three doses over the
course of 12 months. Dengvaxia prevents dengue infections slightly more than half the time.

The vaccine is approved only for older children because younger vaccinated children
appear to be at increased risk of severe dengue fever and hospitalization two years after receiving
the vaccine.
The World Health Organization stresses that the vaccine is not an effective tool, on its
own, to reduce dengue fever in areas where the illness is common. Controlling the mosquito
population and human exposure is still the most critical part of prevention efforts.
These are common tips that may help reduce your risk of mosquito bites:
 Stay in air-conditioned or well-screened housing. The mosquitoes that carry the
dengue viruses are most active from dawn to dusk, but they can also bite at night.
 Wear protective clothing. When you go into mosquito-infested areas, wear a long-
sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and shoes.
 Use mosquito repellent. Permethrin can be applied to your clothing, shoes, camping
gear and bed netting. You can also buy clothing made with permethrin already in it. For your
skin, use a repellent containing at least a 10 percent concentration of DEET.
 Reduces mosquito habitat. The mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus typically live
in and around houses, breeding in standing water that can collect in such things as used
automobile tires. You can help lower mosquito populations by eliminating habitats where they
lay their eggs. At least once a week, empty and clean containers that hold standing water, such as
planting containers, animal dishes and flower vases and keep standing water containers covered
between cleanings.

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 Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

Prepared by: Charmaine Dela Cruz

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