Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or DHF is a disease caused by the dengue virus transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The disease can affect children and adults, but children tend to be more susceptible to serious complications from dengue infection. Mostly Dengue fever cases when the rainy season, it is because mosquito eggs hatch more easily when their habitat begins to be flooded. When the mosquito population increase, the possibility of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) will also increase. However, dengue cases can not only occur in the rainy season, but summer can also be a factor. Therefore, it is important to always be watchful considering that Indonesia is a dengue-endemic area.
Based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, from January to May 2023, there are 35,694 cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) in Indonesia. When the cases of dengue fever in Indonesia are higher, we should be more careful and recognize the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) characteristics. Early signs of DHF are suddenly got high fever, usually more than 39 degrees Celsius, Muscle and joint pain, abnormal headache, especially behind the eyes, Skin rash appears, similar to measles or mosquito bite, and got pain behind the eyes. Also, you have to recognize the complications caused by Aedes aegypti mosquito bites, such as:
1. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF): If the dengue infection is not treated properly, it can develop into DHF. The sign includes serious bleeding, weakness, respiratory distress, and even organ dysfunction
2. Dengue Shock Syndrome (SSD): This is the most serious and life-threatening complication of dengue infection. Children with SSD will experience hypotension, a weak and fast pulse, and organ dysfunction
Treatment and Care that can help when got bitten by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
1. Immediately do an examination with a doctor to get a more appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
2. Get enough rest and drink to prevent dehydration.
3. Avoid taking drugs that contain aspirin, it can increase the risk of bleeding.
4. Need intensive medical care if experiencing complications such as DHF or SSD.
To reduce the risk of severity of dengue fever, someone who has been infected with the dengue virus should immediately get a dengue fever vaccine. Dengue vaccination is recommended for ages 6 – 45 years who live in Dengue endemic countries or regions, and ages 6 – 45 years who want to travel to Dengue endemic countries or regions. The DHF vaccine serves to reduce the risk of severity of DHF symptoms that will be experienced. This DHF vaccine can prevent 80.2% of dengue fever cases overall 12 months after immunization. Side effects after the DHF vaccine are pain at the injection site, headache, and low-grade fever.
Normally a dose of vaccine is 0.5 ml injection. The first dose can be started at any time, and the second dose can be given 3 (three) months after taking the first dose injected. Currently, tetravalent dengue vaccine is available for the prevention of dengue fever in children from the age of 6 years to adults aged 45 years. There are 4 dengue virus strain vaccines, namely Dengue serotype 2 attenuated strain (TDV-2), Recombinant Dengue strain serotype 2/1 (TDV-1), Recombinant Dengue strain serotype 2/3 (TDV-3), and Recombinant Dengue strain serotype 2/4 (TDV-4). Before doing the DHF vaccine you have to pay attention to these things, having Hypersensitivity to the active substance or previous dose of Qdenga, immune deficiency including immunosuppressive therapy (chemotherapy, corticosteroids) 4 weeks before vaccination, and Pregnant and lactating women.
