Dengue season is upon us once again and parents everywhere are on alert.
And it’s probably been awhile since we’ve practiced the proper precautions.
So, we sat down with Dr Chin Wai Seong, Consultant Paediatrician from Dr. Chin Children’s Specialist Clinic, to learn more about dengue and what parents can do to keep their little ones safe from the mozzie menace.
Q1: How dangerous is dengue, especially for our little ones?
Dengue is a viral infection that can range from mild symptoms to severe complications.
For children, it can be especially dangerous because they are more prone to dehydration due to their smaller size and lower blood volume.
Symptoms usually include high fever, rashes, and vomiting, which can be tough on little bodies.
Unfortunately, in more severe cases, children can go into shock or experience bleeding due to what’s known as dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF).
This makes dengue far more dangerous for kids than most people realise. And there’s so much more beneath the surface.
The physical toll of dengue often comes with heavy emotional and financial burden for families.
Parents face immense stress, financial strain and major disruption to their daily routines when their child is hospitalised with dengue.
Q2: What can parents do to protect their children or their families from dengue?
One of the best ways to prevent dengue is by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so make sure to clear out any stagnant water around your home.
This includes water in plant pots, old tyres, clogged gutters, and anywhere rain water might collect.
Also, a little tip: It’s a good idea to cover water storage containers, clean them regularly, and make sure they are sealed.
For added protection, dress your kids in long sleeves; especially during peak mosquito hours. And use mosquito nets if you keep windows open at night.
In addition to all these preventive methods, families can also now consult their doctor about vaccination against dengue.
It’s worth considering all options when it’s concerning the safety of our families.
Q3: Let’s talk about the role of vaccination against dengue. How can dengue vaccination help?
Dengue vaccination is designed as a preventive tool to reduce the risk of severe dengue cases in regions where dengue is prevalent, like in Malaysia.
Vaccination gives the immune system a ‘practice run’ so that it can recognise and fight off the virus if exposure happens.
This can help reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation, and related complications.
Q4: Can you tell us who can get vaccinated?
The Drug Control Authority (DCA) in Malaysia has approved vaccination against dengue for anyone aged four years and older.
This is great news because it means that both children and adults can benefit from this added protection.
Plus, it doesn’t matter if they have had dengue before, and there’s no need for pre-vaccination testing.
Q5: Where can families get vaccinated should they choose to do it?
Families can consult their doctors about vaccination at most private hospitals and clinics across Malaysia.
Q6: Is vaccination safe for children?
Vaccination is a well-established and important tool for protecting public health and has proven to save lives by significantly reducing diseases like polio and measles.
You should know that many vaccines, including those for dengue, undergo years of trials to ensure their safety and efficacy before local authorities approve them for use.
I encourage parents to consult with their doctors to make informed decisions about the protection options available for their families.
Q7: Can you tell us more about how the global community is responding to the introduction of the dengue vaccination?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is encouraging countries, especially those with high dengue rates to increase vaccination for affected age groups in their public immunisation programs.
For example, Indonesia rolled out a regional vaccination program against dengue in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan late 2023, reaching 75% of targeted children by early 2024.
Now, the regional vaccination program has expanded to include Probolinggo and Samarinda.
Brazil also started a national immunisation program in 2024 due to rising dengue cases, and Argentina launched a targeted immunisation initiative for young people in high-risk areas.
So, we are seeing more and more countries adopting vaccination to protect their communities against dengue.
Q8: Are there any plans for vaccination programmes in Malaysia?
I hope so, at least for vulnerable populations such as children.
I’m very optimistic that well-implemented vaccination programmes along with other preventive measures, as discussed earlier, and recommended as part of an integrated approach to dengue management, can help relieve the burden of dengue on our communities.
Q9: Could you help clarify why dengue is so much more than ‘just a severe flu’, and why taking it seriously is very crucial?
That’s actually a dangerous misperception.
Dengue can start with flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, headaches, but it can quickly escalate.
Severe dengue can lead to life-threatening conditions, including dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.
Some red flags to watch out for in kids are persistent vomiting, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, and blood in stools or vomit.
If these symptoms show up, it’s critical to seek medical help immediately.
Q10: We know that papaya is a superfood, but can it actually cure dengue?
While papaya leaf juice may help increase platelet count, which can be useful, there is no scientific evidence that it cures dengue.
Q11: We often hear that once you get dengue, you’re protected from getting it again. Is that true?
That’s actually not true that getting dengue once protects you from getting it again.
There are four different strains of the virus and being infected with one doesn’t protect you from the others.
In fact, if you get dengue a second time, it can be more severe and carry a higher risk of complications.
That’s why it’s important to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of future infections and protect your family.
Vaccination plays a role in providing protection, but it’s not the only measure.
Using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and eliminating places where mosquitoes breed is all important, too.
It’s really about combining these steps to keep your family safe from dengue.
Q12: Does vaccination against dengue actually work?
Yes, of course. Studies have shown that vaccination offers protection against dengue and reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.
Studies have also shown that the protection lasts for several years.
This makes vaccination an important part of an integrated approach in dengue management, especially in areas where outbreaks are common.
But of course, there are common side effects from vaccination depending on the individual.
Some people may experience pain or redness at the injection site, fever, muscle pain, lethargy.
Protect Your Loved Ones
Don’t let dengue harm you family, parents!
Take precaution and follow the simple steps highlighted by Dr Chin Wai Seong to ensure that mozzies are not a threat to you and your children’s health.
Remember to remove stagnant or standing water near and around your home, wear long sleeves when outdoors and use insect repellents whenever possible.
Be sure to observe other reasonable measures in the fight against dengue, including reminding your friends and relatives the importance of prevention.
Part of that measure is to consider the power of vaccination.
With just a couple of jabs, your little ones can be shielded against this dangerous illness for life.
Take care, mums and dads, and let’s beat the mozzie menace together! For more tips, visit knowdengue.my
Source: Dr Chin Wai Seong, Consultant Paediatrician from Dr. Chin Children’s Specialist Clinic
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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