Dengue claims first victim in Bangkok this year

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Dengue claims first victim in Bangkok this year

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Dengue fever has claimed its first victim of the year in Bangkok, among nearly 2,400 cases reported in the capital.
 

Methipoj Chatamethikul, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Health Department, said on Friday the victim was a resident of Nong Chok district, Khok Faed subdistrict, but gave no further personal details.

 

Methipoj said dengue had also been detected in two other Nong Chok subdistricts – Nong Chok and Khu Nua – in the past four weeks.

 

He said four other people have dengue in Khok Faed, two living in the same house as the person who died and the other two neighbours.

All four were being treated at Nong Chok Hospital, he said.

 

Statistics indicate the number of dengue patients will rise in Bangkok as the year continues, Methipoj said. There were 615 cases in April and 2,399 to date this year.

 

The Health Department is monitoring Bang Rak, Talinchan, Sathorn, Jomthong and Klong Samwa districts.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30346768

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-01

[observer90210]

The scary issue of this, is that anybody can catch it anywhere...just a matter of bad luck and to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

But perhaps replacing one's after shave, with a good mosquito repellant, could be a good deterrent.

[Kinnock]

2 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

The scary issue of this, is that anybody can catch it anywhere...just a matter of bad luck and to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

But perhaps replacing one's after shave, with a good mosquito repellant, could be a good deterrent.

Yes - even though they mention certain areas in Bangkok - mozzies fly - so it will spread.

 

Vaccination may also help - but I asked at the local hospital and they don't have stocks of the vaccine.

[kingkenny]

I had it recently, fair to say it is awful.  The local government gets informed and they come and spray your house but I was already clear by the time they reacted. What I didn't realize is that while I am infected any mosquito that bites me also becomes infected. 

[jamie2009]

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

Yes - even though they mention certain areas in Bangkok - mozzies fly - so it will spread.

 

Vaccination may also help - but I asked at the local hospital and they don't have stocks of the vaccine.

As far as I am aware there is no Vaccination for Dengue Fever, several have been tried but not proven to be successful.

[Kinnock]

2 hours ago, jamie2009 said:

As far as I am aware there is no Vaccination for Dengue Fever, several have been tried but not proven to be successful.

There was a vaccine released in Thailand last year.  I don't think it's 100% effective - but it helps.  But they've run out of the vaccine at the local hospital, so I'll need to check other hospitals and clinics.

[gandalf12]

9 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

There was a vaccine released in Thailand last year.  I don't think it's 100% effective - but it helps.  But they've run out of the vaccine at the local hospital, so I'll need to check other hospitals and clinics.

the problem is Dengue is a mix of 4 different types of Malaria. Individually they can vaccinate but the combination does not have a vaccine as yet. Thailand has so far cured HIV / AIDS and Ebola if you believe what is printed

[action]

True story here (a bit long),

I had sore leg muscles on Monday.  It felt like I'd ran a marathon the day before.  Next day it was gone.

 

Tuesday I start to feel weak and tired so I stayed in bed mostly.  By evening I had extreme cold sweats.  For sure I have a fever.  I couldn't sleep at all, if I had a blanket on me I was dripping with sweat, if I took the blanked off it felt like I was in a freezer.  No in-between with any combination of blankest or fans.  No sleep

 

Wednesday stayed in bed and got about 2 hours of sleep and then the headache started.  By 8pm or so this headache was unbearable.  It was incredible pain.  My eyes hurt, my ears hurt.  It was probably top three most painful things I've experienced.  I took Paracetamol and also took a Tylenol 3 with codeine, but didn't do anything to ease the pain.    Another night with no seep.

 

Thursday morning google told me to get emergency medical treatment immediately.  Could be a tumor or aneurysm.  So off to the hospital.  Blood test, urine test, chest X-ray and an injection for pain.  Blood test comes back, I have Dengue Fever, it seemed the nurses and doc were more shocked than I was.  Doc said I would get worse before I get better.  She said it could take 6 days or so.  She said I would get a rash, I would lose my appetite and not be able to stomach food.  Get dizzy, light headed.  No drugs to treat the virus so she gave me vitamin B12 and another vitamin, Paracetamol and sleeping pills.  They told me not to get out of bed for 2 days and come back on Saturday.  If I see bleeding from my nose or gums or vomit go straight back to the hospital.  I should mention that they really wanted me to stay in the hospital, but I figured if I'm just going to lay in bed and eat vitamins I'd rather do it at home.  We're 15 minutes away.

I go home, take the pills, including the sleeper at 2pm.  I slept 14 hours straight until 4am.

 

Friday (today)  I feel 100% healthy,  Fit as a fiddle.  I read the news from 4am to 6am then got up and made the kids a huge breakfast before school.  I went out and ran errands, went out to lunch worked in my shop.  Had a totally normal day.  Didn't spend a minute in the bed and all I took was the vitamins.  I feel like I could go race a motorbike or go ride jet-skis with no problem.  No symptoms whatsoever. 

 

So my questions,  Is this normal?  Is this the calm before the storm?  I'm really quite amazed at this due to all of the stories I hear about this virus.  People dying?  Did I just get a weak dose?  Or do I have super human immune system capabilities?  Does anyone have any insight why I'd get better within hours?  Any comments, even sarcastic ones and jokes will be appreciated. 

 

For the record.  We live in Banglamung north of Pattaya around the Regent School area. 
(Sorry for very long post) 

[jamie2009]

1 hour ago, action said:

True story here (a bit long),

I had sore leg muscles on Monday.  It felt like I'd ran a marathon the day before.  Next day it was gone.

 

Tuesday I start to feel weak and tired so I stayed in bed mostly.  By evening I had extreme cold sweats.  For sure I have a fever.  I couldn't sleep at all, if I had a blanket on me I was dripping with sweat, if I took the blanked off it felt like I was in a freezer.  No in-between with any combination of blankest or fans.  No sleep

 

Wednesday stayed in bed and got about 2 hours of sleep and then the headache started.  By 8pm or so this headache was unbearable.  It was incredible pain.  My eyes hurt, my ears hurt.  It was probably top three most painful things I've experienced.  I took Paracetamol and also took a Tylenol 3 with codeine, but didn't do anything to ease the pain.    Another night with no seep.

 

Thursday morning google told me to get emergency medical treatment immediately.  Could be a tumor or aneurysm.  So off to the hospital.  Blood test, urine test, chest X-ray and an injection for pain.  Blood test comes back, I have Dengue Fever, it seemed the nurses and doc were more shocked than I was.  Doc said I would get worse before I get better.  She said it could take 6 days or so.  She said I would get a rash, I would lose my appetite and not be able to stomach food.  Get dizzy, light headed.  No drugs to treat the virus so she gave me vitamin B12 and another vitamin, Paracetamol and sleeping pills.  They told me not to get out of bed for 2 days and come back on Saturday.  If I see bleeding from my nose or gums or vomit go straight back to the hospital.  I should mention that they really wanted me to stay in the hospital, but I figured if I'm just going to lay in bed and eat vitamins I'd rather do it at home.  We're 15 minutes away.

I go home, take the pills, including the sleeper at 2pm.  I slept 14 hours straight until 4am.

 

Friday (today)  I feel 100% healthy,  Fit as a fiddle.  I read the news from 4am to 6am then got up and made the kids a huge breakfast before school.  I went out and ran errands, went out to lunch worked in my shop.  Had a totally normal day.  Didn't spend a minute in the bed and all I took was the vitamins.  I feel like I could go race a motorbike or go ride jet-skis with no problem.  No symptoms whatsoever. 

 

So my questions,  Is this normal?  Is this the calm before the storm?  I'm really quite amazed at this due to all of the stories I hear about this virus.  People dying?  Did I just get a weak dose?  Or do I have super human immune system capabilities?  Does anyone have any insight why I'd get better within hours?  Any comments, even sarcastic ones and jokes will be appreciated. 

 

For the record.  We live in Banglamung north of Pattaya around the Regent School area. 
(Sorry for very long post) 

A very informative and interesting post, I have a colleague who had it and he developed the rash, worst thing he has ever had.

Fortunately not that I am a Doctor yours was mild, think there are 4 different strains.

How can you avoid without spraying yourself with Deet all the time, I have tried all the Natural Remedies and others but they were a waste of time

[action]

27 minutes ago, jamie2009 said:

A very informative and interesting post, I have a colleague who had it and he developed the rash, worst thing he has ever had.

Fortunately not that I am a Doctor yours was mild, think there are 4 different strains.

How can you avoid without spraying yourself with Deet all the time, I have tried all the Natural Remedies and others but they were a waste of time

My medical certificate says "Dengue Fever (Classical Dengue).   Not sure if that is the strain?

I actually find the mosquito coils pretty effective.  If I light them around the house they seem to run away.

 

A lot of people sleep under a net, but maybe someone can answer this.  My wife said she read that the mosquito species that carries this virus only comes out (bites) during the day time, and at night you don't need to worry.  Obviously I'm quite skeptical, but not by the info, by the source.

 

Another useful tip,  Which I believe was mentioned, is that the hospital gave us a form to take to the local Tessaban (sp?) and they would come spray our house for free.  Sounds great, but maybe I got the mosquito bite somewhere else? 

 

I see the doctor tomorrow for another blood test.  Anything interesting happens I'll report back. 

Edited June 1, 2018 by action

[scubascuba3]

The scary issue of this, is that anybody can catch it anywhere...just a matter of bad luck and to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
 
But perhaps replacing one's after shave, with a good mosquito repellant, could be a good deterrent.

One of the riskiest areas is where you are staying, where you wouldn't want to wear repellent. I only see mosquitos in my hotel room and a street food vendor opposite

[Chrisdoc]

It would be a simple thing to lessen dengue by not leaving water around but the Thai people I know just don't get it. They are always leaving water around and then they wonder why mosquitoes bite them.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[superal]

Sat outside in the evenings or in a bar I always wear long trousers and  thick socks with trainers . Only exposed areas are my forearms and face . Mozzies love me along with other flyers so when I go fishing or play golf I spray with deet but it has to be applied at regular intervals because of sweating . Even in the early morning when doing my routine computer stuff I spray under the desk and apply cream to my legs as they always tend to bite your lower leg and ankle .  Did not realize that dengue could be had in BKK , thought it was just the forested areas around Cambodia and Burma   

[Chrisdoc]

Sat outside in the evenings or in a bar I always wear long trousers and  thick socks with trainers . Only exposed areas are my forearms and face . Mozzies love me along with other flyers so when I go fishing or play golf I spray with deet but it has to be applied at regular intervals because of sweating . Even in the early morning when doing my routine computer stuff I spray under the desk and apply cream to my legs as they always tend to bite your lower leg and ankle .  Did not realize that dengue could be had in BKK , thought it was just the forested areas around Cambodia and Burma   

You say mosquitoes like biting you but I heard they bite everyone equally but some people like you ( and me ) have a reaction. People who say they don't get bitten actually do and don't feel it but are just as prone to dengue, malaria etc as you and I.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Chrisdoc]

Sat outside in the evenings or in a bar I always wear long trousers and  thick socks with trainers . Only exposed areas are my forearms and face . Mozzies love me along with other flyers so when I go fishing or play golf I spray with deet but it has to be applied at regular intervals because of sweating . Even in the early morning when doing my routine computer stuff I spray under the desk and apply cream to my legs as they always tend to bite your lower leg and ankle .  Did not realize that dengue could be had in BKK , thought it was just the forested areas around Cambodia and Burma   

You say mosquitoes like biting you but I heard they bite everyone equally but some people like you ( and me ) have a reaction. People who say they don't get bitten actually do and don't feel it but are just as prone to dengue, malaria etc as you and I.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[sanemax]

5 minutes ago, Chrisdoc said:

You say mosquitoes like biting you but I heard they bite everyone equally but some people like you ( and me ) have a reaction. People who say they don't get bitten actually do and don't feel it but are just as prone to dengue, malaria etc as you and I.

Mosquitos do prefer a certain kind of people , they prefer people with sweet blood

[scubascuba3]

Mosquitos do prefer a certain kind of people , they prefer people with sweet blood

Diabetics get more bites?

[superal]

10 hours ago, sanemax said:

Mosquitoes do prefer a certain kind of people , they prefer people with sweet blood

Just had a Google search on this . Seems that there is no exact science on avoiding the mosquito bite apart from covering up and keeping cool , not easy in temperatures of 30 c and up . We all sweat but there is a huge variance on what is contained in the sweat and so what deterrent  works for one person may not work for another . I remember some time ago the American soldiers when engaged in jungle exercises discovered by accident that an " Avon perfume  product "  was very successful in deterring mosquitoes . Below an extract  from Google .

 

Mosquitoes are stimulated by a number of factors when seeking out a blood meal. Initially, they’re attracted by the carbon dioxide we exhale. Body heat is probably important too, but once the mosquito gets closer, she will respond to the smell of a potential blood source’s skin.

Studies have suggested blood type (particularly type O), pregnancy and beer drinking all make you marginally more attractive to mosquitoes. But most of this research uses only one mosquito species. Switch to another species and the results are likely to be different.

There are up to 400 chemical compounds on human skin that could play a role in attracting (and perhaps repulsing) mosquitoes. This smelly mix, produced by bacteria living on our skin and exuded in sweat, varies from person to person and is likely to explain why there is substantial variation in how many mozzies we attract. Genetics probably plays the biggest role in this, but a little of it may be down to diet or physiology.

One of the best studied substances contained in sweat is lactic acid. Research shows it’s a key mosquito attractant, particularly for human-biting species such as Aedes aegypti. This should act as fair warning against exercising close to wetlands; a hot and sweaty body is probably the “pick of the bunch” for a hungry mosquito!

Probably the most famous study about their biting habits demonstrated that the mosquitoes that spread malaria (Anopheles gambiae) are attracted to Limburger cheese. The bacteria that gives this cheese its distinctive aroma is closely related to germs living between our toes. That explains why these mosquitoes are attracted to smelly feet.

But when another mosquito (such as Aedes aegypti) is exposed to the same cheese, the phenomenon is not repeated. This difference between mosquitoes highlights the difficulty of studying their biting behaviours. Even pathogens such as malaria may make us more attractive to mosquitoes once we’re infected.