Together with the common flu, typhoid fever, and hepatitis, dengue is up there in the list of most dreaded diseases moms worry about. But unlike the other illnesses mentioned, dengue doesn’t have a vaccine that can provide prevention and protection.
Prevalent in tropical countries such as the Philippines, dengue affects people differently.
While some recover from flu-like symptoms such as high fever, muscle-and-joint pains, and rashes, others suffer life-threatening complications like Dengue Shock Syndrome—in which a patient’s white blood cells platelets drop to a dangerous level, leading to internal bleeding. In some of these cases, dengue becomes fatal.
While all people, regardless of age, are susceptible to dengue, statistics from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that children and adolescents from 5 to 14 years old are hardest hit.
Another alarming discovery is that dengue can now be contracted round-the-clock instead of during daytime only, as previously thought.
Experts from the Philippine Association of Entomologists have found that another dengue mosquito, the Aedes albopictus, is known to bite from from 6-8 PM and 11 PM to 1 AM, while the well-studied species Aedes aegypti, bites between 6 to 8 AM and 4 to 6 PM.
No wonder more moms are looking for ways to protect their children from exposure during day and night.
“I make sure there’s no stagnant water at the house and surroundings are not mosquito breeding grounds,” says Candice Arcangel, mother of two boys, ages 10 and 12.
To be sure, Candice uses Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect.
A single application provides up to 8 hours’ protection against day and night dengue mosquitoes.
Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect is non-greasy, smells and feels light on skin, which kids appreciate.
For older kids and adults, Green Cross recommends Active Protect, which provides up to 10 hours’ protection.
And for stay- or work-at-home moms like me, or people who mostly stay indoors, I recommend Family Protect, a reliable but more affordable lotion that protects up to four hours.
Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotions are endorsed by the Philippine Association of Entomologists, Inc.
They are available at supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide.
Originally published at Chuvaness.com. You can comment here or there.