Along with the onset of the rainy season, various tropical diseases typically emerge, including Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). DHF is an infectious disease caused by the Dengue virus, which is transmitted through the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Typically, DHF patients will experience body pain. In some cases, DHF can also lead to a fatal risk, which is death if not treated promptly. In its January 2022 report, the World Health Organization (WHO) mentioned that Asia still ranks first in terms of the highest risk of DHF.

Some symptoms of DHF include:

• High fever reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius

• Severe headaches

• Muscle, joint, bone, and eye socket pain

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Damage to lymph nodes and blood vessels

• Skin rash appearing two to five days after the fever

• Nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or bleeding under the skin.

Preventive Measures for DHF

The Ministry of Health has already initiated the Mosquito Nest Eradication Program (PSN) as a guide to prevention efforts. Therefore, understand the following preventive measures so that you and your family can avoid DHF:

1. Emptying water storage containers

We need to clean places that are often used as water storage, such as bathtubs, pitchers, water tanks, drums, and others. The walls of water storage should also be cleaned as they can potentially become mosquito breeding grounds.

2. Covering water storage containers

We also need to tightly cover places that could potentially become mosquito breeding grounds, such as bathtubs and drums. Covering also includes burying old items in the ground so that they do not create a dirty environment and become mosquito breeding sites.

3. Utilizing waste

We can also repurpose old items and waste into functional items to prevent them from becoming water storage containers that ultimately become mosquito breeding sites. Make sure there is no trash piling up around the house.

4. Cleaning stagnant water

Regularly ensure that stagnant water around the house is cleaned, including pots, tires, or other unused containers that could potentially become water storage containers. Drain and dry these containers to prevent mosquito breeding.

5. Taking additional measures

As an additional prevention measure, the Ministry of Health also recommends that we regularly maintain mosquito larvae-eating fish, use mosquito repellents, install wire screens on windows and vents, engage in community clean-up efforts, and sprinkle mosquito repellent powder in water storage containers.

Author: Dr. Luh Ayu Krisnayanti Darma (Medical Consultant at PRAMITA Clinical Laboratory, Jl. Pajajaran No. 86, Bandung)