Health officials warn of medications to avoid while treating dengue fever

People who suspect that they have dengue fever, or have been diagnosed with this mosquito-borne illness have been advised to avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. 

According to Senior Medical Officer of Health in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Leslie Rollock, affected persons should not take Brufen, Advil, Aspirin or Whizz because they increase the risk of bleeding, a symptom of severe dengue, which could be fatal. 

“What you should take, however, is anti-fever medication like Paracetamol, Panadol or Acetaminophen, which is what the Americans call Paracetamol,” she outlined. 

Dr. Rollock also advised sick persons to sleep under a mosquito net, especially when they have fever, which is the most infectious stage of the illness. She explained that when female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bite infected persons, the virus multiplies and would then be transmitted to more persons. 

She also encouraged persons to wear insect repellent containing DEET on their exposed skin to prevent mosquito bites. “I find people are just putting it on their arms and legs, but a mosquito can bite you on your forehead, your neck, or on your ear, so put it on exposed skin,” she said. 

Dengue fever is transmitted by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is relatively large and has black and white stripes. (BGIS)