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Every year, May 16 is observed as National Dengue Day in the country as part of an effort led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The main objective of this initiative, according to India’s National Health Portal, is to raise awareness about dengue fever and improve preventive measures and preparedness to control the disease before the start of the transmission season. Dengue feverwhich is a mosquito-borne viral disease, is a serious health concern with an estimated 390 million dengue infections worldwide resulting in up to 36,000 deaths, the Global Mosquito Program said.
While dengue fever is already recognized for its significant health repercussions, the impact on the body becomes even more severe when an individual experiences the infection for the second or more times. Explaining the same, Dr Sheela Murali Chakravarthy, Director of Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, said: “Repeated dengue infections can take their toll on the body. immune answer.”
The expert shared that dengue fever is caused by four different strains of virus. Although curing one strain provides lifelong immunity to that specific strain, subsequent infections with different strains can lead to more severe symptoms.
Alright, Dr Monalisa Sahu, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad stated that this phenomenon can be explained by Halstead’s theory of antibody-mediated immune enhancement, where neutralizing antibodies against the particular serotype do not protect against other serotypes. “Ideally speaking, a person can get dengue four times in their lifetime, because dengue has 4 serotypes, and infection with one serotype is life-sustaining. immunity against dengue with that particular serotype, but there can always be variations in medical science,” she explained.
Dengue fever can damage organs such as the liver, heart and lungs. (Source: Getty Images)
Repeated occurrences of dengue fever infections can harm the body in a variety of ways, Dr. Chakravarthy explained.
*Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS): In some cases, subsequent infections can lead to more serious forms of the disease, causing bleeding, organ damage and posing a life-threatening risk.
* Damage to organs: Dengue fever can damage organs such as the liver, heart and lungs. Repeated infections can make this damage worse, leading to long-term health complications.
*Dysfunction of the immune system: Multiple dengue infections can disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system, increasing susceptibility to other infections and impairing the overall immune response.
To prevent repeat dengue infections, it is important to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, which is the main mode of transmission of the virus, said Dr J Harikishan, Senior General Practitioner, Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad. “This includes using mosquito repellent, wearing protective clothing and keeping windows and doors closed or screened. It is also essential to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by getting rid of standing water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
Dr. Harikishan further shared the following do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind:
* Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants
* Keep windows and doors closed or screened
* Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed
* Do not rely solely on insecticide sprays to control mosquitoes
* If possible, do not travel to areas with high dengue fever rates
*Do not take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if you think you have dengue, as they may increase the risk of bleeding.
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