Spread by the the bite of an Aedes aegypti mosquito, dengue shoots the body temperature to 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit within 5 to 7 days after infection. However there are a series of myths associated with the disease.
You must be aware as dengue is a contagious disease
Like every other disease, people are often driven by a common notion that dengue is a contagious disease. Thus, they tend to avoid being in contact with a person who is suffering from the same. But, the real picture is entirely different. Dengue is never a contagious disease. It is a disease that occurs only when a person is bitten by mosquitoes carrying germs of the disease. Therefore, neither physical contact nor sexual contact, nothing can spread dengue from one person to the other. Basically, the news of a number of persons getting affected by dengue in the same area is only due to the presence of the disease causing mosquitoes that inhibit that area in large numbers.
Every mosquito is dangerous and can cause dengue fever
People believe that every mosquito is dangerous as they are carriers of the germs of dengue fever. Therefore, you must be concerned every time you are bitten by mosquitoes. Although the concern is appropriate as mosquitoes are carriers of different types of germs, but all of them do not carry the germs of dengue. The germ carrying mosquitoes of dengue fever are known as Aedes Aegypti. They are natives of Africa who found the most favorable breeding ground in the tropical and sub tropical countries. They are characterized by white markings on their legs along with a lyre-like sign on their thorax. They find humans as their primary victims.
The fever associated with dengue is just like malarial fever so you need not worry
Fever accompanied by dengue is a common occurrence. So, most of the people do not give it much importance and think that it is just like malarial fever, and subside simultaneously as soon as the victim gets cured. So, you do not have to worry. This is never right. It is a myth to compare malarial fever with dengue fever. Dengue fever can sometimes indicate severe medical conditions. For instance, dengue hemorrhagic fever is extremely harmful for the sufferer. It is caused when a person gets affected with a different dengue virus every time he/she is down with the disease. It calls in for immediate medical attention. So, you must always give dengue fever utmost importance.
Sexual intercourse during dengue fever cures the patient quickly
A classic myth concerning dengue fever remarks that sexual intercourse on occasion of the disease increase the platelet count in blood. This myth originated from a scientific fact regarding the disease. Dengue fever leads to reduction in the platelet count in blood. Platelets plug the wounds on occasion of injury and bruises and lead to clotting. Absence of platelets can be so fatal that it can lead to death by means of continuous bleeding. Thus, the myth goes that the natural way to increment platelet count during dengue is to indulge in sexual activities. Unfortunately there is no scientific, clinical or biological evidence to support this notion.
You can prevent yourself from dengue fever by means of vaccination
There are numerous beliefs and views that talk about the vaccines available to prevent the occurrence of dengue fever. This is a complete myth and you must never rely on any such news at all. There are certain technical obstacles that become obstacle in the way of developing vaccines for dengue. Basically, there are four types of dengue fever that originate from four different serotypes. This creates complexity in the path of development of dengue vaccine. When a person is administered a vaccine of one type of dengue fever he/she is always exposed to the other forms of dengue fever. Moreover, sometimes such antibiotic vaccines can be detrimental to health. They can enhance the chances of other diseases and create dependency on these induced antibodies and weaken the natural immunity.
Mosquitoes that cause dengue fever breed in sewerage and river water
Majority of the population believe that the unclean water of the rivers, sewage, and drains are the breeding grounds of the mosquitoes that spread dengue fever. Get out of this view now. It is simply a myth. Standing water is the most favorable site for birth and breeding of these mosquitoes. So, the pool in your backyard, water accumulated in the old utensils, flower pots, etc., are dens of these mosquitoes.
Beware of mosquitoes that spread dengue when night falls
As common with the mosquitoes that spread malaria, many people believe that the Aedes mosquitoes that spread dengue fever also frequent during nights only. This is a false notion. These Aedes mosquitoes become most active especially between the transitional phases, the dusk and the dawn. They may even bite you anytime in the day too, typically when you are indoors or the place is shady, or if the weather is dark and cloudy.
