Dengue fever? Vietnam?

[waterinaglass]

Hi :-)

im travelling to a country in august which is apparently high risk of dengue fever (vietnam). Obviously I know to take all precautions not to get bitten, but I read something online that said the chances of getting it are still really high especially in august when it’s really wet and hot.

we’ll be spending time in a city centre and also rurally (near jungles and rivers etc) in Vietnam.

can anyone please offer some reassurance that I’m worrying about nothing and there’s still a really low chance I’ll get it? I’ve never been before and am extremely excited but a bit clueless about it all too. And even if you do get it, what happens? You wouldn’t even have to go to hospital would you? (Not to minimise it ofc, I just mean it’s not like catching rabies or Ebola where it’s seriously life threatening)

very excited just a little bit nervous now and any advice or knowledge would be great!

Dengue is spread by mosquitoes that bite in the day. They are pretty big. Make sure you keep covered and wear mozzie spray. It is a real risk but you'll know if you get it - I felt like I'd been hit by a bus. Very sore eyes, throbbing headache, high fever, very bad joint pain that came on in thirty mins. If you haven't had it before the risk of it doing you serious damage is low, but you'll feel crap so do what you can to avoid it! For reference, I lived in SE Asia for two years, caught it a few months into my stay and didn't catch it again. Have a brilliant trip!

My family live in Malaysia so I can't specifically say about Vietnam, but the Aedes mosquito that carries dengue is found throughout SE Asia. It thrives in human environments i.e. cities, and is particularly active early morning and evenings - which, in the tropical heat, is when people are most likely to be out and about.

There are 4 known dengue serotypes. The first dengue infection usually gives a "mild" illness with typical general viral symptoms - fever, aches, rash and maybe vomiting. The danger of severe haemorrhagic dengue is upon subsequent infection with another serotype.

My dad had haemorrhagic dengue and was hospitalised for a long time and needed multiple platelet transfusions: he hadn't even known that he'd had a previous dengue infection, which according to the doctors is pretty normal.

You're worrying about nothing.

If by city centres you mean Saigon and the Mekong, near Cần Thơ it'll be sticky and humid, but the chances of getting Dengue are very low. Hospitals are clean and inexpensive, although have good travel insurance.

I was similarly worried when we went travelling in SE Asia five years ago, especially because I’m particularly prone to getting bitten by mosquitos.

We were travelling around Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia for around 4 months and we didn’t get it. Cover up in loose clothing, and use strong repellent. It’s a risk but I wouldn’t let worrying about it spoil your trip. Have a great time, Vietnam is fabulous.

We went to Vietnam last year with the DCs - just make sure you're wearing loose clothing that covers you up (which you probably want to be doing anyway because of the sun) and put spray on around your ankles and wrists. It's really not a huge risk most of the day, mainly in the evening.

We've been as a family of 4 as well as just DH & I multiple times to various parts of Vietnam and not caught Dengue, never really taking massive precautions beyond some good bug spray. DH's friend however was hospitalised on both his trips, Dengue is particularly serious second time around.

Besides above advices, use mosquito net.

We used to live in South East Asia. My son caught Dengue when he was 16 months old. The thing you need to remember is that if you have a fever or are experiencing achy pains - do not take ibuprofen. Stick to paracetamol.