Dengue tops moms’ most feared diseases

MANILA, Philippines - Together with the common flu, typhoid, hepatitis, among others, dengue is up there in the list as one of the most dreaded diseases that moms worry their kids may contract. Unlike the other illnesses, dengue does not have a vaccine that can provide immediate protection.

Prevalent in tropical countries such as the Philippines, dengue affects people differently. While others may stop at having flu-like symptoms such as high fever and muscle-and-joint pains and rash, others suffer life-threatening complications.

A few succumb to Dengue Shock Syndrome, in which the patient’s white blood cells drop to a dangerous level, leading to internal bleeding. In some of these cases, dengue becomes fatal.

While it is true that all people, regardless of age, can be infected with dengue, statistics from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that children and adolescents are hit the hardest. Almost half of the dengue cases last year were from five-14 year age range.

Another alarming discovery is that the disease that many people think can be contracted only during the day is now a round-the-clock menace. Experts from the Philippine Association of Entomologists found out that another mosquito species, the Aedes albopictus, is known to have peak biting hours during the night: from 6 to 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. The well-studied species Aedes aegypti, the day-biter, has peak biting hours between 6 and 8 a.m., and 4 and 6 p.m.

It is no wonder that moms are looking for ways to protect their children from getting exposed to dengue, both during the day and night. “I make sure that there is no stagnant water in the house and make sure our surroundings are clear from mosquito-breeding grounds,” says Candice Arcangel, who has two sons, Carl and Craig, aged 12 and 10, respectively.

Adding another barrier to these safety measures is Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect. A single application provides up to eight-hour protection against day and night dengue mosquitoes.

Based on research, it has been proven to be effective in offering protection against the two species of dengue-carriers, the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus. Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect is non-greasy, and smells and feels light on the skin, which are welcome characteristics to picky kids who don’t like the smell and feel of traditional insect repellent lotions. It is also the only one endorsed by the Philippine Association of Entomologists Inc.

Neri Gomez, who has a toddler named Shasha, confidently applies the lotion on her daughter. “When I found out that Green Cross Insect Repellent Gentle Protect is hypoallergenic and gentle on skin, I immediately purchased a bottle,” she says. “Now, I apply the lotion once in the morning and once in the evening to make sure that she has daytime and nighttime protection against dengue.”

With Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect, moms have a more kid-friendly dengue defense option that helps alleviate their fears against the dreaded disease.

Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion Gentle Protect is available in supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide.