Accustomed to three years of pandemic with permanent tests, in the midst of a heat wave that invites outdoor activities and
673 cases of dengue registered so far this year
, the question arises as to when and where we should test ourselves if symptoms of the virus transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Given this scenario, the Ministry of Health reiterated its recommendations to prevent its transmission.
The most important measure "is the elimination of all mosquito breeding sites, that is, all containers
that contain water
both inside and around houses."
Also, use repellent, light clothing that covers arms and legs, put up mosquito nets and use fans or air conditioning in the rooms.
But what happens if the classic symptoms of severe dengue do not appear and those of mild dengue do?
Clarín
consulted the City Ministry of Health and the infectologist and head of the Department of Medicine of the Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital, Eduardo López, to respond to this uncertainty.
Let's think of a specific case of high fever,
38.8°, but only for one day (not 4 to 7 days)
.
Muscle pain.
Just a rash on the feet (not all over the body).
This case does not respond to immediately thinking of dengue, in the sense of a serious picture, but it could be, in a mild manifestation.
What is there to do?
"(Unlike covid) There is no 'suspicion' of dengue. Dengue must be confirmed. In the first five days of symptoms, the PCR technique is used in blood, after those days, the serological method is done in blood, for the detection of specific dengue immunoglobulins. The Children's Hospital and Muñiz are city centers that are prepared to test patients," says López.
Regarding the case given as an example, he suggests that "yes it can be dengue", but that "you have to see the patient. Because it is rare that dengue fever only lasts one day."
The Muñiz Hospital is one of those that tests for dengue.
Photo Ferdinand of the Order
In the case of the Children's Hospital, in the event of compatible symptoms, it is necessary to approach the external infectious disease clinic.
Nausea
and vomiting
are also a classic symptom of dengue.
"There, depending on the clinical picture, one indicates the test or not. Let's remember that dengue causes
high fever, a lot of muscle pain, behind the eyes and, sometimes, also a rash
, patients break out all over the body, sometimes sometimes with little red spots", continues the expert.
So, there must be a clinical picture that a doctor determines to be suspicious and, if considered necessary, the test is indicated only then.
What to do and what not to do
You should not go only to the Gutiérrez or Muñiz hospitals.
"In the City, before being tested, a clinical consultation must be carried out where the doctor effectively determines if the symptoms are compatible with dengue. In public hospitals there are feverish clinics/units or guards that work from 8 AM where the test can be carried out. testing", detail from the Buenos Aires Ministry of Health.
The mosquito breeds in containers where clean water accumulates.
Photo EFE
Dengue is transmitted by the bite of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito.
When one feeds on the blood of a person sick with dengue, she acquires the virus and, by biting other people, transmits it.
There is no person-to-person contagion.
These mosquitoes also transmit chikungunya
and
zika
viruses
.
It is important
not to self-medicate
in the presence of symptoms, there is no specific treatment against this virus or vaccine.
It is important not to take aspirin (which can promote bleeding).
The most important thing is to go to that consultation to the doctor.
The clinical consultation can be done in any health establishment, both in neighborhood medical centers and in health centers.
And the same applies to private clinics and sanatoriums.
Unlike the covid test, yes or yes there must be an indication for the dengue test.
This is traced in the Province and throughout the country.
The Ministry of Health indicated that in recent months "there has been a
significant increase in dengue cases in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay
, and chikungunya in Brazil and Paraguay."
That is why the doubts and queries in Gutiérrez and Muñiz rose.
Dengue causes high fever, a lot of muscle pain, behind the eyes, and sometimes also a rash.
Of the 673 positive cases of dengue,
587 have no travel history
, and in relation to the chikungunya virus, 3 cases were detected in two towns in the province of Buenos Aires, while another 132 remain under investigation, it was reported.
Currently, the circulation of the dengue virus has been identified in Santa Fe, Salta, Tucumán, Jujuy;
Córdoba and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
MG
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