Protect Your Child from Dengue

Protecting Your Children Against Dengue Starts with You

In Malaysia, dengue continues to be one of the leading public health concerns with hotspots reported nationwide. According to data from iDengue, Selangor state has the highest number of dengue cases and dengue hotspots.¹ Use of personal protection like mosquito nets, repellents and mosquito population control, like fogging, may help reduce one’s risk of getting bitten by a mosquito but it does not eliminate the risk of dengue.² Dengue can strike with a single bite of an infected mosquito.³ Since encountering a mosquito can happen anywhere, children remain vulnerable even if one's home feels secure.⁴

Children Face Greater Risk of Severe Dengue

Research suggests that severe dengue is more common among paediatric patients, with the share of paediatric cases increasing by nearly 20% between 2014 and 2019.⁵ The severe form of dengue can lead to internal bleeding, shock, organ failure or even death. Although only one in four dengue infections show symptoms, progression from mild illness to severe dengue can happen quickly.⁶ High fever (about 40°C) is a common early symptom of dengue which can appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito.^6,7

Some patients may experience a break in their fever before dengue shows more serious signs such as abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or bleeding.⁷ A recovering fever does not always mean a recovery from dengue.6,7 As there is no cure for dengue, severe dengue requires hospitalisation for close monitoring.^6,7 Seeking early medical care is critical whenever a child shows possible dengue symptoms.^6,7

Hidden Infections: The Asymptomatic Danger

Severe dengue is more likely to occur on a second dengue infection.^7,8 Individuals who have had dengue once before are at greater risk of experiencing severe dengue.^7,8

The tricky thing about dengue is that most individuals do not know if they have had dengue before. This is because three in four dengue infections show no symptoms.6 You and your child may have already had dengue without anyone knowing. Your second dengue infection may be more severe.^7,8

As the number of cases of dengue in Malaysia are on the rise,⁹ parents should take precaution and protect their family from dengue.

What Parents Can Do to Protect Children

No single prevention method can fully eliminate the risk of dengue. That is why parents are encouraged to consult their doctor about dengue vaccination, which provides additional protection alongside these everyday steps:^7,8,9,10,11

• Wearing long-sleeved, loose-fitting clothing to avoid mosquito bites especially in the early morning and late afternoon when risk of being bitten is the greatest.
• Using insect repellents or coils and vaporisers to deter mosquitoes from approaching.
• Eliminating mosquito breeding spots around your living area by draining stagnant water and managing water and waste.
• Using mosquito nets or insect screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.

Staying aware of hotspots near you with applications such as a hotspots tracker may help you plan any dengue prevention methods you may like to take as precaution.

You Can’t Take Chances With Your Child’s Life

Since parents may not know if their family has encountered dengue before, parents should protect their loved ones from the risk of developing severe dengue. Children rely on their parents to make wise decisions and act against dengue.

It can take only one bite to get severe dengue.³ Protect your child before dengue strikes.