In Reply to: Anyone who's had Dengue posted by welovebali on Wednesday, 31. March 2010 at 13:07 Bali Time:
This leaves us with prevention, the most sensible option (well, really the only option). To prevent contracting this nasty little virus, let's learn a little more about its flying harbinger of ill. The Aedes mosquito likes to bite in the morning and afternoons, often indoors or in the shade. The mosquito, Aedes species, is a day biter; so during daylight hours, in areas where mosquitoes are present, protect yourself by properly using anti-mosquito measures. These include wearing repellents, such as DEET (20-30% is safe and effective) and spraying clothing with permethrin (spraying mosquito nets and tents is important, too). Alternatives include Neem oil from India, which can be drunk as a tea or worn as a lotion. Avon's Skin-So-Soft is good, but wears off too quickly to be practical. Mosquito coils do work; Vitamin B and garlic, I am sorry to report, do not work. Wearing clothing is usually a good idea, especially long sleeves, long pants or skirts. To keep from over-heating and from aggressive mosquito punctures one should wear loose-fitting clothes.