Causes of DDD and some of the risk factors you should know

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) can affect anyone, young or old. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about half of the world's human population is at risk for this disease. Indonesia itself is also a country prone to dengue fever with quite high case records. What causes the spread of the dengue hemorrhagic fever virus?

The virus that causes dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a disease caused by mosquito bites Aedes aegepti and Aedes albopictus female carrying the dengue virus. There are 4 different types of viruses that cause dengue hemorrhagic fever, namely DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 viruses. However, it should be understood that not all mosquitoes Aedes definitely carry the dengue virus.

According to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, a mosquito Aedes females can be infected with the dengue virus if the mosquito previously sucked human blood that is experiencing viremia. Viremia is a condition caused by high levels of the virus in the body. Viremia can start from 2 days before fever appears until 5 days after first feeling. This is also commonly called acute fever.

The virus that enters the body of the healthy mosquito will reproduce for 8-12 days after that. After the incubation period is over, it means that the virus is active and mosquitoes can start to infect humans through their bites.

After the mosquito carrying the virus bites a human, the virus will enter and flow in human blood to start infecting healthy body cells.

To overcome this, the immune system will produce special antibodies that work together with white blood cells to fight the virus. The immune response also includes the release of cytotoxic T cells (lymphocytes) to recognize and kill infected body cells.

This whole process then gives rise to the various symptoms of DHF. DHF symptoms usually start to appear about four to 15 days after a mosquito bite.

Factors causing the transmission of dengue virus or dengue fever

As you already know, dengue fever is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito infected with the dengue virus.

Mosquitoes that are once exposed to the dengue virus will carry the virus forever. A dengue mosquito can continue to infect other people as long as it is alive. It is possible that all family members can become infected with the same dengue virus within 2 to 3 days.

DHF transmission cannot occur between humans. The only way it is possible to transmit the dengue virus among humans is childbirth. If a woman is pregnant and infected with the dengue virus, the virus can be transmitted to her baby.

There are several reasons why tropical countries like Indonesia are prone to dengue outbreaks. Both from the geographic location of the country itself, and certain customs carried out by its inhabitants. Anything?

1. The long rainy season

The rainy season is one of the risk factors for the outbreak of dengue fever (DHF) in Indonesia. The rainy season in Indonesia lasts quite a long time, from October to February.

During the rainy season, dengue fever cases generally increase due to the large amount of standing water. Stagnant rainwater or even residual flood currents are ideal means for mosquitoes Aedes to lay eggs. Mosquitoes will breed more easily and quickly in a humid environment.

This is also the case during the transition season (changing seasons from dry to rainy, or vice versa). In the transition season, sometimes the environmental temperature will feel more humid. This makes the incubation period of the virus in the mosquito's body faster. This means that mosquitoes will have more opportunities to infect many people at once in a short time.

In general, climate is a key factor controlling where species of mosquitoes can live. When the climate changes, mosquitoes will move to find suitable habitats so that they can continue to breed.

2. Poor body resistance

The dengue virus can actually be directly fought and killed by the body's immune system before causing symptoms.

However, if your immune system is weak, especially during the transition season, you will be more likely to be infected with the dengue virus that causes DHF.

Therefore, you must consume healthy foods and supplements or vitamins to strengthen your immune system.

3. Littering

Mosquitoes that cause DHF tend to breed in dark, dirty, and damp places. For example, in a pile of garbage that has cans, buckets, or bottles filled with standing water.

Garbage that is dumped carelessly will easily fill up with rainwater puddles and become a place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.

Therefore, you must dispose of the trash in its place. In order not to pile up, pile up trash in the ground so that it cannot collect rainwater.

4. Rarely drain the tub

A bathtub that is not frequently drained and cleaned can also become a nest for mosquitoes that cause dengue fever.

Mosquitoes from outside may enter your home and will look for standing water, especially in the bathroom, to lay their eggs. The mosquito larvae that cause dengue can look like brown spots stuck to the edges of the bottom of the tub. Sometimes it is also seen moving from the bottom up the water surface repeatedly.

To get rid of mosquito larvae, sprinkle the abate powder into the tub which is still filled with water and then cover the surface.

However, you should still be diligent about draining the tub at least 2 times a week to prevent the mosquitoes that cause dengue fever from reproducing.

Apart from the bath, you should seal any other water collection containers in your home. Starting from water toren, flower vases, cans, or buckets in the garden that can become a nest of dengue mosquitoes. By closing the water container tightly, mosquitoes will not be able to spawn their larvae in the remaining puddle.

5. Likes to pile up dirty clothes at home

You might as well invite a dengue mosquito into your house if you like to pile up dirty clothes in the corner of your room or hang them behind your door.

Dirty clothes are not the direct cause of dengue fever, but the damp condition attracts mosquitoes. Not to mention that the mosquitoes can still smell the scent of the human body that sticks to the clothes.

If you do have to put your clothes back, fold them neatly and keep them in a clean, closed place.

6. Often go out at night

Going out at night is not a problem. However, it's good to protect yourself with clothes that cover the skin.

The mosquitoes that cause dengue fever actively seek prey and bite humans at night. If you plan to go out at night, wear clothes that cover up such as a jacket, long sleeves, trousers, shoes, and socks.

Do not wear clothes that reveal skin and can be a target for mosquito bites that cause dengue fever.

You can also spray permethrin on clothes before leaving the house to prevent mosquitoes from settling on your body. Spray permethrin only on clothes, not directly on the skin.

7. Go to an area where there are cases of dengue fever

Indonesia is a dengue endemic country. However, there are several areas or areas that are potentially prone to dengue cases.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that East Java, West Java and East Nusa Tenggara are among the regions with the highest number of DHF cases in the first three months of 2019.

In order to avoid mosquito bites that cause dengue fever, you should first avoid traveling to these prone places. Especially during the rainy season.

But if it can't be avoided, make sure you protect yourself from the mosquitoes that cause dengue fever. You can use mosquito repellent lotion every time you go outside, or get the dengue vaccine first.

You can also bring a mosquito net that causes dengue fever to be installed on the mattress where you sleep.