33 replies to this topic

[shmiller]

My recent experience with Dengue Fever lakeside...

I drove to Ajijic from San Miguel de Allende (five hours) this past Sunday for a week's stay. Within hours I became unusually tired and progressively more and more tired and achy all over by the next day. I could hardly walk, had intense joint pain, blurred vision, and a mild headache.

The symptoms in general, are similar to the worst kind of bad flu but with no intestinal problems. I was taken to Dr Leon and his new assisting doctor, Sam, a very sharp guy from Dallas Texas. He and Dr Leon did the exam and blood testing while I laid on the gurney, in severe pain, incredibly weak, and nearly passed out. Within an hour or so I had the diagnosis.

I have Dengue Fever, likely from an infected mosquito bite a week earlier in San Miguel de Allende. It takes a week for the symptoms to show.

Fortunately may case appears to be mild. The telltale blood cell counts are the indicators but mine are borderline, so I should be on the mend in a week or two. There is no cure or hardcore drug treatment. Time and a strong bodily defense mechanism is what it takes.

While I type this I'm still very tired and achy but am not getting any worse so I am thankful. I am taking pain killers and drinking a lot of fluids as prescribed.

I am so grateful for the incredibly fast response and thorough actions by Dr Leon, Dr Sam, the nurse staff and everyone else there for that matter. A phone call ahead had alerted them I was coming in. Within minutes the drip IV and blood tests were underway. And they were by my side the whole time.

For more information about Dengue Fever...
http://en.wikipedia....ki/Dengue_fever

Steve

[JayBearII]

Steve,

Thanks so much for posting this, and all best wishes on your recovery. It is most helpful to know what to look for and what steps to take.

This is indeed mosquito season, and even tho we are careful, we do get a few bites, and one never knows!

[Mainecoons]

Steve, thanks for the heads up and glad to hear you are going to be OK!

[CCC]

Get better! Thanks for the heads up and did I mention I hope you get well soon? That sounds awful!

[satnrose]

We are acquainted, Steve. So sorry to hear one of those wretched airborne insects landed on you. I'm glad to hear you're doing fine. Take care and I'll see you around.

[MountainGal]

Oh no... I was in the IMSS clinic in Chapala today. Got bit by a mosquito twice while waiting. Lots of blood (probably not all mine) when I smashed it. It's all I could think about - "Will I get dengue?". Two weeks will tell, I guess.

Sorry to hear what happened. Hope you get over this quickly!

[pedro malo]

Any cases of dengue originating Lakeside? I caught it 5 years ago in Zihuatanejo and it was the sickest I've ever been in my life! The body ache, even my skin hurt coming in contact with bed sheets! Hit me suddenly with weakness and then uncontrollable shaking with cold sweats. Then the body ache for more than a week and eruption of red spots (rash) all over my torso. Did not fully recover or feel normal for over a month.

Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery! Wouldn't wish dengue on my worst enemy! Terrible stuff!

[lakeheron]

Feel better soon. Glad you got a dx quickly. My girlfriend spent four days in the hospital getting IV antibiotics before they tested her for dengue.

[kbiohio]

I've been told that some of us experience more bites than others due to our body chemistry. I assume that is true, as I could wake up in bed next to my husband and have a dozen new bites, while he had none.

I must have 15 bites at the moment and do not know how to prevent more. It is obviously uncomfortable (very large, itchy welts), but also scary to think I could get quite sick. I get bitten in the morning when I go walking, at restaurants (legs and ankles under the table) and while I am sleeping.

I have tried:
Off bug repellent lotion
Avon SSS bug repellent spray
Rubbing fresh lime
Lavendar lotion
Lavendar spray on sheets
Raid mosquito plug-in
All windows have screens

I would be grateful for a suggestion of a 'tried and true' solution.
KBIOhio

[Udo]

Steve, you have actually given me medical advice on this board before when I was diagnosed with salmonella. I am glad that you are OK.

[golden bead]

Any cases of dengue originating Lakeside? I caught it 5 years ago in Zihuatanejo and it was the sickest I've ever been in my life! The body ache, even my skin hurt coming in contact with bed sheets! Hit me suddenly with weakness and then uncontrollable shaking with cold sweats. Then the body ache for more than a week and eruption of red spots (rash) all over my torso. Did not fully recover or feel normal for over a month.

Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery! Wouldn't wish dengue on my worst enemy! Terrible stuff!

Yes, my husband had Dengue fever last year. We had not traveled out of Ajijic- Chapala area. Great care by Ajijic Clinic.

[johanson]

Get better soon Steve.

Pete

[pedro malo]

Thank you "golden bead".

Wow, I read that the Tiger Mosquito which transmits dengue could not live at Lakeside elevations and that was actually one factor that went into deciding to settle there. Obviously false information. Would hate to get it again though I'm now immune to that specific strain.

My understanding is that there are 4 strains of dengue 2 classic and 2 hemoragic. That leaves 3 to go and of course the hemoragic varieties are worse and more dangerous in that they cause internal bleeding and can be fatal without blood transfusions.

If anyone knows for sure that the rest of my facts are wrong here, I'd greatly appreciate any clarification.

Thanks all!

[hensley]

I've been told that some of us experience more bites than others due to our body chemistry. I assume that is true, as I could wake up in bed next to my husband and have a dozen new bites, while he had none.

I must have 15 bites at the moment and do not know how to prevent more. It is obviously uncomfortable (very large, itchy welts), but also scary to think I could get quite sick. I get bitten in the morning when I go walking, at restaurants (legs and ankles under the table) and while I am sleeping.

I have tried:
Off bug repellent lotion
Avon SSS bug repellent spray
Rubbing fresh lime
Lavendar lotion
Lavendar spray on sheets
Raid mosquito plug-in
All windows have screens

I would be grateful for a suggestion of a 'tried and true' solution.
KBIOhio

B-1 vitamin it really helps me as I have tried all the ones that you listed and they don't always work.

[Ajijic]

I've been told that some of us experience more bites than others due to our body chemistry. I assume that is true, as I could wake up in bed next to my husband and have a dozen new bites, while he had none.

I must have 15 bites at the moment and do not know how to prevent more. It is obviously uncomfortable (very large, itchy welts), but also scary to think I could get quite sick. I get bitten in the morning when I go walking, at restaurants (legs and ankles under the table) and while I am sleeping.

I have tried:
Off bug repellent lotion
Avon SSS bug repellent spray
Rubbing fresh lime
Lavendar lotion
Lavendar spray on sheets
Raid mosquito plug-in
All windows have screens

I would be grateful for a suggestion of a 'tried and true' solution.
KBIOhio

A fan in the bedroom helps a lot if that is where you are experiencing the bites.

[AlanMexicali]

I've been told that some of us experience more bites than others due to our body chemistry. I assume that is true, as I could wake up in bed next to my husband and have a dozen new bites, while he had none.

I must have 15 bites at the moment and do not know how to prevent more. It is obviously uncomfortable (very large, itchy welts), but also scary to think I could get quite sick. I get bitten in the morning when I go walking, at restaurants (legs and ankles under the table) and while I am sleeping.

I have tried:
Off bug repellent lotion
Avon SSS bug repellent spray
Rubbing fresh lime
Lavendar lotion
Lavendar spray on sheets
Raid mosquito plug-in
All windows have screens

I would be grateful for a suggestion of a 'tried and true' solution.
KBIOhio

Watson's insect repellant actual works very well for mosquitoes for about 24 hours in one application of their cream repellant. It is only available in Canada from a representative; an Avon type marketing, I think. $20.00+ Cnd. dlrs.

http://www.jcwatson.com/page5.html

[TioBob]

My house is also totally screened but they still get in. We have a mosquito net over our bed and it works fine. Outside perhaps a mosquito burka would help.

[kbiohio]

Thank you very much for the couple of suggestions for avoiding mosquito bites.

Steve, that you for sharing your story. I'm very glad that you are on the rebound.

KBIOhio

[shortshrink]

I second the fan in the bedroom. Not just a ceiling fan. It has to be blowing directly on you. I also am now sleeping under a mosquito net and it is a huge improvement. Also, I put on bug repellant at least twice a day, in the AM and again around 4 PM. I am currently using jungle juice from REI, which is almost 100% Deet. Pick your poison! I also put a plug-in near where I am sitting in the living room in the evenings.