Dengue downs another 4 year-old girl in City
Another four-year old girl from Brgy. Calaparan, Iloilo City died of dengue fever late last week. The victim is the second coming from the said barangay to have died of the same disease, which brings the total dengue casualty in the city to three.
Rica Jane Benson reportedly suffered from recurring fever before finally losing her life Friday, July 7. She was diagnosed by medical authorities at Western Visayas Medical Center as having been afflicted with dengue fever.
Some two weeks ago a girl from Zone 10, Calaparan, the same area where the Bensons live, also died of dengue fever.
The victim's father Eric Benson said the dengue carrying mosquito could be rampant in their place, so he called on the city government to immediately conduct fogging operations to prevent other children from being afflicted by the dreaded disease.
Benson was saddened by the demise of his daughter but he openly accepted Rica Jane's fate. "I can do nothing anymore, she's already gone," said the girl's father in Hiligaynon.
Rica Jane only came to Brgy. Calaparan this June in time for the school opening. She was living with her mother in Manila.
The girl's mother who is working in Manila immediately went home after learning of what happened to her daughter.
A barangay official confirmed that they had requested the City Health Office to conduct fogging operations in their area, including the school where the victim studied.
Meanwhile, residents were urged to help in cleaning up their surroundings in order to destroy the breeding grounds of the Aedes egypti mosquito which is the carrier of the dengue virus.
Earlier, a six-year old girl from Brgy. Gustilo, La Paz also died of dengue fever. Several others were diagnosed of the disease but were effectively cured with the help of the barangay health workers.
Dengue fever is commonly caused by day-biting mosquito Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the day especially during early morning hours before daybreak and in the late afternoon before dark.
Symptoms of typical uncomplicated dengue usually start with fever within 5 to 6 days after one has been bitten by an infected mosquito and include: High fever, up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, Severe headache, Retro-orbital (behind the eye) pain, Severe joint and muscle pain, Nausea and vomiting, and Rash that may appear over most of the body 3 to 4 days after the fever begins.
Sever symptoms which lead to hemorrhagic dengue include: Marked damage to blood and lymph vessels; Bleeding from the nose, gums, or under the skin, causing purplish bruises.
This form of dengue disease can cause death.
Dengue carrying mosquitoes normally populate and breed during rainy season. They usually live in dark areas and stagnant waters.
There is no specific treatment for classic dengue fever, and mostly one will recover completely within two weeks. To help with recovery, health care experts recommend: getting plenty of bed rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking medicine to reduce fever.
Experts also advise people with dengue fever not to take aspirin. However, Acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain-reducing medicines are safe for most people.
For severe dengue symptoms, including shock and coma, early and aggressive emergency treatment with fluid and electrolyte replacement can be lifesaving.