Dengue is a disease that is consistently detected in the Philippines every year. According the Department of Health’s Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, there have been around 2,081,000 recorded cases for the disease from 2010 to 2019. Dengue is typically at its peak during the rainy season due to the heightened possibility of accumulating stagnant water that serve as breeding areas for dengue-bearing mosquitoes.
The increased risk of dengue as the rainy season approaches may pose a challenge to distinguish it from COVID-19 due to parallel symptoms.
Although dengue and COVID-19 may manifest with similar indicators, their causes, clinical management, and prevention practices may be different. To know which of the two a certain patient potentially has is important for healthcare professionals to recommend the right clinical care to address the illness.
How do you know if it is dengue or if it is COVID-19?
It is important to note that both dengue and COVID-19 can manifest differently depending on each patient, and not all symptoms may be present in each case.
| Dengue | COVID-19 | |
| Symptoms | High fever (40°C) accompanied by any of the following:
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Common symptoms include:
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Symptoms of severe dengue cases that may require hospitalization include:
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Symptoms of severe COVID-19 cases that may require hospitalization include:
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| Onset | Symptoms appear four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito | Symptoms appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus |
| Duration of illness | Symptoms usually last for two to seven days | Symptoms usually last for one to two weeks in mild cases, but some symptoms may persist even after recovery (long COVID). |
| At-risk population |
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| Treatment | There is no treatment for dengue, but its symptoms can be managed by:
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Treatment for mild cases is focused on managing symptoms, which involves:
A strong immune system is our first line of defense against getting COVID-19. This can be achieved with the help of taking vitamin supplements and getting enough sleep and exercise. |
How can you avoid getting dengue?
- Regularly clean out containers that might accumulate water and become breeding grounds of mosquitoes, including drums, buckets, or even flower vases.
- Reduce risk of mosquito bites by putting on long-sleeved shirts and pants and applying mosquito repellents.
- Opt to have citronella plants—a natural mosquito repellent—or products that contain citronella placed around your house.
- Keep your doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
- Maintain a strong immune system by eating a balanced diet or taking vitamin supplements, particularly ones rich in Vitamins A, C, and D.
Consult your doctor as soon as you develop any symptoms to ensure that you receive proper treatment.
READ: Dengue Prevention Tips at Home
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/is-it-dengue-or-covid.html
https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/healthcare-providers/dengue-or-covid.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/DOH-reminds-public-to-do-4S-vs-dengue-as-cases-start-to-rise
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/diagnosed-with-covid-19-what-to-expect
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dengue/
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/the-use-of-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-(nsaids)-in-patients-with-covid-19
