What is Dengue?
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, distinguishable by its trademark black and white stripes on its body and legs. As these mosquitoes are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, this mosquito-borne virus is a public health concern in the Philippines.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
In some individuals, Dengue may be asymptomatic where no symptoms are exhibited. For those who experience Dengue symptoms, it typically appears within 4 to 7 days after the infected bite, but may take up to 14 days to appear in some cases[1]. Signs of dengue infection include flu-like symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, bone pain, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, itchy rashes, pain behind the eyes, and swollen glands.
These symptoms may range from mild to severe. When these symptoms worsen, this condition may become life-threatening. The disease then progresses to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), a more severe outcome of dengue with symptoms such as frequent vomiting, diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain, convulsions, bruising and bleeding. More serious symptoms like circulatory collapse and shock may lead to Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) – a dangerous complication with a high mortality rate[2].
Dengue Fever Treatment
Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available for dengue infection. Treatment for dengue involves supportive care of the symptoms. This includes medication to bring down the fever and alleviate joint pains. Medicine like ibuprofen or aspirin should be avoided as it may increase the risk of bleeding[3]. The best course of action is to seek and follow the medical advice of healthcare professionals.
Prevention
As the Philippines is a tropical country with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, this makes it a Dengue-prone country. The best way to combat Dengue is by controlling the mosquito population and avoiding getting bitten by an infected mosquito. Prevention efforts include using mosquito repellant, wearing protective clothing, installing window and door screens, and eliminating their breeding grounds by getting rid of standing water.
As a large portion of dengue cases happen in younger children, keeping these tips in mind and taking active steps are the best way to protect you and your family.
Dengue Insurance
While taking preventative measures are important, unforeseen situations may still occur. Protect yourself and safeguard your family with a Dengue insurance plan. Singlife offers a comprehensive Dengue insurance plan with three levels of benefits. Our Dengue insurance product fills in the gaps of other Dengue products available in the market today. It covers the different severity levels of Dengue, providing a comprehensiveness that other insurance products lack.
Singlife’s Dengue insurance covers a portion of dengue test costs, hospitalization expenses, as well as further tests and treatments in the case of a severe outcome. Taking into account the worst-case scenario such as a potentially fatal condition, our product includes severe Dengue benefit as well.
Get in touch with us today to be protected from unexpected medical expenses and find out more about our comprehensive yet affordable Dengue insurance.
References
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/what-is-dengue-and-how-is-it-treated
[2] https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dengue-fever-reference#1-2
[3] https://www.who.int/denguecontrol/human/en/
