The first time that I'd ever heard of "dengue" was when a virtual assistant living in the Philippines disappeared for two weeks while working on a project for me.
When he finally checked in, he apologized and said that dengue fever had made him so sick and weak that for over a week he could barely even get out of bed. So, I vaguely familiarized myself with the disease.
The next time that it came into focus was when I visited the Philippines 12 years ago, and the mosquitoes were so plentiful, and AGGRESSIVE, that my wife and I were forced to sleep under mosquito netting! We'd wake up each morning and the netting would be COVERED with dead mosquitoes. The couldn't get on us, but refused to get up, and clung to the netting which was suspended on supports around our bed... until many of them simply DIED!
Reflecting back on my Air Force career, I had been vaccinated against about "every disease under the sun!" Because I traveled to areas where these diseases were prevalent, I had been vaccinated against dengue, as well as Japanese Encepholtitis (a disease which cause selling of parts of the brain)!
Fast-forward to TODAY, and I traveled to visit friends and relatives in a moquette infested areas, where I was informed the dengue is DEFINITELY a problem... one that had affected the very people I hang out with.
Not to worry, too much...
After I pointed out that my quarters, especially the bathroom which has open windows, were FLOODED with Aedes aegypti, the purchased a spray which killed them on contact, and since it is oil-based, it sticks around on walls etc., They also screened in the bathroom window, and my wife and I made our sleeping area nearly air-tight.
We still have a problem when just hanging out... talking with others, or trying to enjoy meals, but it's tolerable.
To refresh my knowledge, I asked ChatGPT to tell me more about dengue, and the mosquitoes that spread it. Here's what Mr. GPT told me in it's somewhat verbose fashion:
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV), which belongs to the Flavivirus genus. It is transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, though other species like Aedes albopictus can also spread the virus. Dengue is a significant global health concern, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
1. Effects of Dengue
Dengue infection manifests in a range of clinical forms, from mild illness to life-threatening complications.
Mild Dengue Fever
Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, nausea, and vomiting.
Duration: Symptoms typically last 2–7 days after an incubation period of 4–10 days following a mosquito bite.
Severe Dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome)
Symptoms: Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness, and blood plasma leakage.
Complications: Can lead to organ damage, shock, and death if not treated promptly.
Case Fatality: With timely medical care, the mortality rate is below 1%, but it can rise significantly without treatment.
Please continue reading at: https://WillieCrawford.org/dengue/
