“Outbreak levels.”

That is how Health Secretary Ted Herbosa described the dengue situation in the country.

According to DOH, there were 150,354 recorded dengue cases from January 1 to August 10 of this year—39% higher than the same period last year.

Nearly 400 lives were lost to dengue. 

The last time we had a national dengue epidemic was in 2019.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection—with flu-like symptoms which include:

• High fever

• Severe headache

• Pain behind the eyes

• Joint and muscle pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Skin rash

• Fatigue

• Mild bleeding (e.g., nose or gum)

• Easy bruising

 In this post, we’re going to look at the ways you can protect your family.

While there’s no guarantee of 100% protection, these practices can go a long way in protecting your loved ones from the disease.

#1 Control Mosquito Breeding Grounds

Dengue spikes during the rainy season because rain results in the formation of puddles and water pockets. Mosquitoes love standing water because that’s where they lay their eggs. Mosquitoes are tiny and it doesn’t take much water to have mini-ponds on which they can leave their eggs.

Aedes aegypti, the dengue-carrier mosquito, is a daytime feeder and bites early in the morning and in the evening—before dusk. Coincidentally, this is also the time when Filipinos come out to tend to their gardens or when the children come out and play in the yard.

Unfortunately, yards and gardens contain many objects that can store standing water. Even without rain, puddles can form on uneven surfaces—like after you have watered your plants and have given them a good dose of hosing.  

So start by eliminating potential breeding sites. These are areas and objects where water can be unwittingly collected and can be as unassuming as the folds or creases of an old tarpaulin.

Possible breeding grounds include:

• Water containers: Buckets and water tanks should be emptied regularly or secured with a lid.

• Flower pots and saucers: Either remove saucers or empty them frequently.

• Gutters and canals: Ensure water can flow freely by keeping gutters debris-free.

• Tires: Old or unused tires can hold water and can become ideal mosquito habitats.

• Trash cans: Open bins, especially those left outdoors, can collect water if not properly sealed.

• Bird baths: Water in bird baths should be changed frequently to prevent stagnation.

• Children's toys: Outdoor toys like buckets and toy trucks can collect rainwater and need to be emptied.

• Roof depressions: Any concaving areas on the roof where water may pool after rain can become breeding grounds.

• Outdoor furniture: Hollow areas in furniture like patio chairs or tables may trap water.

• Pet bowls: Outdoor water bowls for pets should be emptied and cleaned regularly.

For indoors: Secure those pails, vases, flower pots, and aquariums.

The thing to remember with collected water is persistent vigilance. This is not a one-and-done thing. Checking today doesn’t mean you’re safe tomorrow. It could rain overnight and fill up the objects and places again.

Remember that it doesn’t take much for mosquitoes to lay their eggs—and they do so 100-200 at a time.   

#2 Mosquito-Proof Your Living Spaces

Even with breeding sites under control, mosquitoes can still find their way to your home. Take additional steps to block their entry and limit exposure:

• Install screens on windows and doors.

• Repair any tears or holes in any part of the house, as mosquitoes can easily pass through the tiniest gaps.

• Use mosquito traps, zaps, and liquid bait.

• Use Fans: Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so using fans to create air movement can help keep them away from you.

• Use mosquito nets: Especially when sleeping, mosquito nets provide a protective barrier and significantly reduce the risk of being bitten. Although Aedes aegypti are daytime feeders and bite 2 hours after sunrise and just before sunset, they can still bite at any time throughout the day.

Get rid of mosquitoes by spraying around the house. Use water-based formulations.

Mosquitoes often hide in dark, damp, and undisturbed areas so make sure you get these spaces:

• Behind curtains and drapes

• Under furniture (sofas, beds, tables)

• In closets and wardrobes (inside the shoes!)

• In bathrooms (especially in shower areas or damp corners)

• In laundry rooms (around wet clothes or towels)

• Under sinks or around plumbing fixtures

• Behind picture frames or wall hangings

• In basements or attics (especially if poorly ventilated)

• Near houseplants (where humidity is higher)

• In storage boxes or cluttered areas

#3 Wear Protective Clothing

• Wear long sleeves and pants: Opt for loose-fitting clothing that covers most of your skin to limit mosquito bites.

• Apply mosquito repellents. There are commercially available lotions and patches for your family. Repellants have active ingredients that are unpleasant or irritating to the winged pests. When applied on the skin, they deter mosquitoes from landing and biting.

• Use Essential Oils: Applying certain essential oils like citronella, lavender, or eucalyptus can act as natural repellents.

• Spray clothing with repellant: Permethrin-treated clothing adds another layer of defense by repelling mosquitoes before they reach your skin.

#4 Handling Dengue

Dengue can be unpredictable.

Most infections produce only mild illness and may even be asymptomatic. For those who present with symptoms, these begin 4-10 days after infection and may last 2-7 days.  

According to the World Health Organization, most dengue fevers can be treated at home, with the patient given pain medicine and lots of hydration. (Paracetamol is often used for pain, but not ibuprofen or aspirin as they increase the risk of bleeding.)

That’s dengue.

Then there’s severe dengue—which can be fatal.  

Even with the best precautions, it's important to be aware of the symptoms. If anyone in your family develops a very high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, or mild bleeding, seek medical attention right away. Early detection and proper management can prevent complications. Your doctor can determine if hospitalization is needed or not.

In addition to the symptoms mentioned, severe dengue can come with:

• severe abdominal pain

• persistent vomiting

• rapid breathing

• bleeding gums or nose

• fatigue

• restlessness

• blood in vomit or stool

• being very thirsty

• pale and cold skin

• feeling weak

 The insidious thing about severe dengue is that these symptoms often come after the fever has gone away. Individuals with those symptoms should receive medical help right away. Do not take it lightly.

Keep your family safe this rainy season. Stay vigilant.  

Control possible breeding grounds, mosquito-proof your living spaces, wear protective clothing and learn to look for signs of infection.

With these guidelines, you can maximize the safety and well-being of your family.

BloodWorks Lab is your family’s partner in health and well-being.

We are our one-stop shop for all your blood test needs. We offer dengue screenings as well as a wide range of medical assessments and check-up packages.

As one of the country’s premier medical testing outfits, we were the first in the country to offer the Anti Acetylcholine Receptor (lgG) Antibody Test and the Anti N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (Anti NMDA Receptor) Antibody Test.

Book your appointment today.

Our branches are in Alabang, Katipunan, and Cebu.