Dengue Fever Likely Strengthens In Thailand's Rainy Season

[webfact]

Dengue fever likely strengthens in rainy season

Bangkok, 19 May 2012 (NNT) – The Disease Control Department has cautioned people to protect themselves against dengue fever which is likely to strengthen during the rainy season.

Since the beginning of this year, dengue fever is reported to have killed nine people and sickened 7,000 people. The Disease Control Department said the rainy season which exists between May and June each year is usually a breading period of dengue fever.

Although it is said that children are most susceptible to the dengue fever, doctors warn that adults should not take the matter lightly. They disclosed that half of the victims this year were aged above 15. The statistics imply that dengue fever-induced deaths among grown-ups may have resulted from ignorance.

The number of dengue fever patients tends to climb in Andaman provinces, Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Rayong, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen and Bangkok. The Disease Control Department has now instructed local public health officials to place their areas under close surveillance.

-- NNT 2012-05-19

[Reasonableman]

Dengue doesn't exactly strengthen, but the risk of infection increases with the increased prevalence of the virus carrier, the mosquito. Avoiding mosquito bite is the only real protection. There are treatments, but no cure. It can be nasty, even fatal.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Reasonableman

[Siriam]

Friend of mine got the hemorrhagic Dengue last year, it's very dangerous... you can easily die for internal bleeding !

[chiang mai]

Friend of mine got the hemorrhagic Dengue last year, it's very dangerous... you can easily die for internal bleeding !

Let's not overdo it, it's nasty and it's dangerous but it's fatal only in about 5% of cases, if you get medical treatment early then it's easily survivable:

"According to the WHO there were more than 225 million cases of malaria in 2010, resulting in the deaths of about 781,000 people, while it estimates there may be 50 to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year, including 500,000 DHF cases, resulting in about 22,000 deaths".

http://photo-journ.com/2011/thai-researcher-debunks-dengue-fever-myth-warnings-for-2011-wet-season

EDIT for link

Edited May 19, 2012 by chiang mai

[Siriam]

Friend of mine got the hemorrhagic Dengue last year, it's very dangerous... you can easily die for internal bleeding !

Let's not overdo it, it's nasty and it's dangerous but it's fatal only in about 5% of cases, if you get medical treatment early then it's easily survivable:

"According to the WHO there were more than 225 million cases of malaria in 2010, resulting in the deaths of about 781,000 people, while it estimates there may be 50 to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year, including 500,000 DHF cases, resulting in about 22,000 deaths".

http://photo-journ.com/2011/thai-researcher-debunks-dengue-fever-myth-warnings-for-2011-wet-season

EDIT for link

It's scary stuff though, he was hospitalized for 10days, usual behavior like brushing your teeth become dangerous because the level of blood platelets is very low, even an accidental fall can be fatal.

Of course you are right about the statistics but I don't want to see myself or someone I love in that situation .

[chiang mai]

I've watched a friend go through DHF and it's not great by any means but the bleeding part is not much worse than someone taking hi dose anticoagulants for heart problems, unless of course the platlet count gets very low. Here's a tip that even the best hospitals seem to ignore/don't know: if you have DHF and you're on a drip, don't let them change the needle puncture location (to avoid infection) or the area where the needle was, the hand (usually), will fill up with blood and turn black, really ugly.

[stiggy]

Dont underestimate Dengue, 5% fatality if correct care is given and is afforded.

Nearly lost my wife to this two years ago got stuck on an island due to storm and couldn't get any help.If you suspect you have dengue get near a hospital ASAP for monitoring in case platelet replacement is needed and the outcome is greatly improved.

Took her nearly 5 months to get over it and she is one tough women.

Had it twice myself now its not fun at all.

[animatic]

Having had Dengue a few years back I can attest it is something to be avoided at all costs.

I was wiped for a solid month from Bone Break Day and was feeling it for 2-3 more.

Be clear to document your symptoms, preferably on paper before going to the hospital,

since that maybe what it talkes to get the MD to check for it.

That happened to me, I diganosed it before the MD>

then he looked for the blood tests and confirmed it.

I have a friend who has had it no less than 6 times, each time totally miserable.

Edited May 19, 2012 by animatic

[tfc]

Lost 2 friends to dengue, had it myself. Not something I'd take lightly.

[soundman]

I got whacked with a bout of Dengue last year. Not fun. Fever for two days. Very lethargic (falling asleep every two or so hours during the day) for the next three weeks. Full strength recovery - nearly 2 months.

Forgot to add: Terrible headache behind the eyes, and extremely un-comfortable back/kidney region. Hard to walk normally.

[geriatrickid]

Friend of mine got the hemorrhagic Dengue last year, it's very dangerous... you can easily die for internal bleeding !

Let's not overdo it, it's nasty and it's dangerous but it's fatal only in about 5% of cases, if you get medical treatment early then it's easily survivable:

"According to the WHO there were more than 225 million cases of malaria in 2010, resulting in the deaths of about 781,000 people, while it estimates there may be 50 to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year, including 500,000 DHF cases, resulting in about 22,000 deaths".

http://photo-journ.c...2011-wet-season

EDIT for link

You are looking at the big patient pool. Now, let's look at the specific "at risk" pool. The illness is most dangerous in those that are elderly, and that have pre-existing health conditions. In respect to the typical TVF demographic, there are more "at risk" subjects than in the general population because most foreign residents are older and have age and lifestyle related health issues. A 65 year old male with typical western related health conditions is more likely to succumb than a 25 year old backpacker or local Thai. Hence, I do believe that the typical TVFer has very good reason to take additional precautions. I am not saying one should panic, but the warning is appropriate.

Edited May 19, 2012 by geriatrickid

[Yahooka]

I got whacked with a bout of Dengue last year. Not fun. Fever for two days. Very lethargic (falling asleep every two or so hours during the day) for the next three weeks. Full strength recovery - nearly 2 months.

Forgot to add: Terrible headache behind the eyes, and extremely un-comfortable back/kidney region. Hard to walk normally.

Also had it more then 3 years ago.Although recovery was quick headache behind the eyes didnt dissapear until ayear later.

Nothing to be taken lightly.

[chiang mai]

Friend of mine got the hemorrhagic Dengue last year, it's very dangerous... you can easily die for internal bleeding !

Let's not overdo it, it's nasty and it's dangerous but it's fatal only in about 5% of cases, if you get medical treatment early then it's easily survivable:

"According to the WHO there were more than 225 million cases of malaria in 2010, resulting in the deaths of about 781,000 people, while it estimates there may be 50 to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year, including 500,000 DHF cases, resulting in about 22,000 deaths".

http://photo-journ.c...2011-wet-season

EDIT for link

You are looking at the big patient pool. Now, let's look at the specific "at risk" pool. The illness is most dangerous in those that are elderly, and that have pre-existing health conditions. In respect to the typical TVF demographic, there are more "at risk" subjects than in the general population because most foreign residents are older and have age and lifestyle related health issues. A 65 year old male with typical western related health conditions is more likely to succumb than a 25 year old backpacker or local Thai. Hence, I do believe that the typical TVFer has very good reason to take additional precautions. I am not saying one should panic, but the warning is appropriate.

I used the global pool numbers to illustrate a point that there was only a 5% death rate from DHF and to contrast that relatively low percentage of fatalaties against a statement that suggested that "you can easily to die from DHF". But since I'm being taken to task for using them, let's look at the numbers for Thailand.

If we look at DF in Thaiand the numbers look as follows: In 2010 there were 110,000 reported cases with 113 deaths, about 0.1% of cases being fatal, significantly lower than the WHO's global average numbers. Most at risk are the very young, follwed by women and then elderly people with chronic diseases. I don't mean to under estimate the impact of DHF as a disease but I do want to put the risk of death from it into perspective.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever_outbreaks

[noitom]

Thailand - The malarial swamp.

[Yahooka]

Thailand - The malarial swamp.

You mean Dengue swamp,or.... ??

[chiang mai]

Thailand - The malarial swamp.

Hmm, 32,000 cases reported in Thailand during 2010 with 80 deaths, the at risk profile looks similar to that of DHF although much lower.

http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section10/Section21/Section340_4027.htm

EDIT for link

Edited May 20, 2012 by chiang mai

[xylophone]

Whilst on the subject of dengue fever, I had it a couple of years ago, with the usual symptoms as described above. Not pleasant and very draining, however what I have not been able to ascertain is whether there can be any longer lasting effects??

I say this because every so often I get bouts of extreme tiredness which last for a few days and this is something I've never experienced before and wondered if it is one of the ongoing effects of dengue??

I believe this sort of thing happens with the epstein barr virus so thought it possible with dengue..........any answers out there, or folk with similar experiences??

[wiki12]

Apologies to the long serving members of this forum if I am going over worn ground.

I've just signed up to TV to warn folk about this terrible dengue business. A Thai friend of mine was bitten on Saturday sometime and is currently laid up in hospital and dengue is confirmed. She lives in BKK and was bitten in BKK.

I met an expat in July who was bitten and hospitalised with the same condition in Hua Hin.

It's far more prevailant than many people realise, even Singapore has the odd outbreak.

Please be careful.