Dengue Fever: What You Need to Know (Prevention, Symptoms & Real Tips)
Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, especially the Aedes aegypti species. It's common in tropical and subtropical areas and has no specific cure — only symptom relief. With cases rising worldwide, here’s everything I learned from experience!
🧬 Dengue in a Nutshell
Dengue causes high fever (up to 104°F), headaches, joint/muscle pain, vomiting, and skin rashes. Most people recover in 1–2 weeks, but some can develop severe dengue with bleeding and shock symptoms.
🦟 4 Real Mosquito Prevention Tips I Swear By
| # | Method | Effectiveness (My Rating) | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEET mosquito repellent | ★★★★★ | Apply 2x daily |
| 2 | Long sleeves & pants | ★★★★☆ | Light-colored clothes help |
| 3 | Indoor plug-in mosquito coils | ★★★★☆ | Combine with air-con |
| 4 | Bed net at night | ★★★★★ | Essential in Southeast Asia |
🌡️ Dengue Symptoms & How to Respond
| Day | Common Symptoms | What I Did |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | High fever, chills, headache | Paracetamol + lots of water |
| Day 3–5 | Rashes, nausea, joint pain | Stayed in bed, went to clinic |
| Day 6+ | Possible bleeding, low BP | Emergency! Go to hospital |
❗ Avoid aspirin & ibuprofen — they increase bleeding risk.
📊 Global Dengue Risk by Region (2024)
| Region | Yearly Cases | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | 5.4 million | 🚨 Very High |
| Latin America | 3.2 million | 🔥 High |
| Africa | 1.1 million | ⚠ Growing |
| South Korea | 400–600 (imported) | 📌 Travel caution |
✈️ Travel Tip Summary
"Repellent before perfume, net before sleep." Avoiding bites is a survival habit, not an option.
🧾 My Dengue Takeaway
"After getting bitten 6 times in Thailand, the fever hit. I learned the hard way that mosquitoes are not just annoying –
