São Paulo — The state of São Paulo experienced a significant increase in dengue cases and victims in March: in just three weeks, the number of deaths from the disease quadrupled. This Friday (22/3), the state reached 112 deaths caused by dengue — on the first day of the month, there were 27. The data is from the monitoring panel of the State Department of Health.
From the beginning of the month until now, 85 deaths have been recorded, an average of 4 per day. In March alone, the number of victims more than doubled compared to January and February.
The most recent victims of the disease are residents of Bauru, Botucatu, Caieiras, Guarulhos, Limeira and São José da Boa Vista. According to the Health panel, 53 municipalities in São Paulo have already recorded deaths from dengue this year. The number of confirmed cases in the state reached 292,079 this Friday.
On the 5th, the São Paulo government declared a state of emergency for dengue. The decision was taken after the state reached 311 confirmed cases of the disease for each group of 100,000 inhabitants, which constitutes an epidemic situation.
Dengue symptoms
Dengue symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually appear 4 to 10 days after an infected mosquito bite. Clinical manifestations include:
- High fever: body temperature can reach significantly high values, generally accompanied by chills and intense sweating;
- Severe headache: the pain is generally located in the frontal region and may extend to the eyes;
- Muscle and joint pain: sensation of discomfort and pain, often referred to as “bone breaking”;
- Nausea and vomiting: may occur, contributing to dehydration;
- Red spots on the skin: known as petechiae, these spots can appear on different parts of the body;
- Fatigue: a general feeling of weakness and persistent tiredness.
Treatment
Dengue treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and ensure the patient’s recovery. Some measures recommended by the Ministry of Health include:
- Adequate hydration: fluid intake is essential to prevent dehydration, especially during periods of fever and vomiting;
- Use of analgesics and antipyretics: medications such as paracetamol can be used to reduce fever and relieve pain;
- Rest: rest is essential to allow the body to fight the virus more effectively;
- Medical monitoring: in more serious cases, it is crucial to seek medical assistance for monitoring and appropriate treatment;
- Avoid self-medication: the indiscriminate use of some medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin, can worsen the clinical picture and is contraindicated in dengue fever.
Dengue prevention
In addition to treatment, dengue prevention is crucial. Measures such as eliminating breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, use of repellents, screens on windows and doors, in addition to raising awareness among the population about the importance of these practices, are emphasized by the Ministry of Health.
