Public awareness of dengue might have been sidelined with the whole Covid-19 outbreak, but the disease is no less dangerous.
NEA recently warned that the number of weekly dengue cases might exceed the historical high of 891 in the near future, and since Sunday, May 31, 291 people have been infected.
There are now 176 active dengue clusters, the biggest at Woodleigh with 181 people infected.
And one woman in Singapore recounted just how horrible contracting the disease can get.
Dined out at alfresco area
28-year-old Amanda Poh shared her story on the NEA Stop Dengue Now Facebook page on June 3.
Poh was out with her colleagues for some drinks. Seated at an alfresco dining area with some plants nearby, she recalled being bitten by mosquitoes, but thought nothing of it.
A few days later, one of her colleagues who attended the drinks session contracted dengue.
On the same day in the evening, Poh started feeling slightly nauseous and feverish.
Believing it was food poisoning, she brushed the symptoms off and went to bed.
"I thought it was food poisoning, but it got worse and I started feeling feverish. I popped a Panadol Extra and went straight to bed thinking I could beat it with a good night's rest."
Fever for four days before diagnosis
The next morning, her condition had not abated, and she had a raging 40 degree fever.
Poh then consulted a doctor who found nothing wrong with her.
However, her fever continued on and off for the next three days, and her "appetite was terrible".
Poh then returned to the clinic and was referred to Changi General Hospital's Accident and Emergency department.
A blood test then revealed all:
"My worst fears were confirmed – I had dengue (type 1)!"
There are four dengue serotypes—essentially four closely-related viruses that cause dengue infection. But all result in the same disease and range of symptoms.
Poh shared her worry over her diagnosis, saying how there was no medication for dengue.
Additionally, she had a holiday to Hokkaido planned six days later, and was afraid she would have to cancel it.
"I went home worried and upset. When would I recover? I had planned for a holiday and my flight was in six days! My family and friends tried reassuring me, but I still felt terrible. There’s no medication for it – it’s really #theworstsicknessever."
Had burning, itching dengue rash
She described the next two days after her diagnosis as "the worst days of [her] life".
A severe rash is one of the symptoms of dengue as well, which Poh was a "cross between a burning and itching that never stops", even to the extent of waking her up at night.
Her family prepared papaya leaf extract, which is know to increase low platelet counts—an effect of dengue. Poh though, was unable to stomach its taste.
Fortunately, Poh's condition improved four days after being diagnosed, and she was able to continue with her overseas trip.
Here she is (left) happily flying with her friends.
Photo from Amanda Poh via NEA Stop Dengue Now / FB
She added that since the incident, she brings her mosquito repellant everywhere, and urged everyone to stay vigilant and remove any stagnant water.
Poh also reminded all not to regard dengue as "no big deal".
"Everyone can help prevent dengue – an experience so horrible I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy!"
You can read her full post here.