Dengue: Paano Maiwasan

How to protect your family from dengue — the DOH 4S strategy, the symptoms to watch, and the warning signs that mean go to the hospital now. Libre. Walang jargon.

By Nova Citizen Editorial · Last updated · Verified against Department of Health (DOH)

Dengue: prevention hero (Nova Citizen)

Dengue is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which bites mostly in the early morning and late afternoon and breeds in clean, still water — even a bottle cap's worth. There's no magic cure. What protects your family is preventing the bite and catching the warning signs early. This guide follows the Department of Health's official guidance.

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1. Iwasan: the DOH 4S strategy

SEARCH AND DESTROY — Hanapin at sirain ang pinamumugaran ng lamok: lalagyan ng tubig, lumang gulong, paso, at kahit maliit na nakatambak na tubig.

SELF-PROTECTION — Magsuot ng mahabang manggas at pantalon, at gumamit ng mosquito repellent.

SEEK EARLY CONSULTATION — Pumunta agad sa health center kapag lumagpas sa 2 araw ang lagnat.

SUPPORT FOGGING — Suportahan ang fogging kapag may outbreak, ayon sa health authorities.

The 4S Against Dengue A 2 by 2 grid of the DOH 4S strategy — Search and destroy, Self-protection, Seek early consultation, Support fogging — each with a short action and one icon, followed by a strip of dengue warning signs. THE 4S AGAINST DENGUE 1 SEARCH AND DESTROY Hanapin at sirain ang pinamumugaran ng lamok: lalagyan ng tubig, lumang gulong, paso, at kahit maliit na nakatambak na tubig. 2 SELF-PROTECTION Magsuot ng mahabang manggas at pantalon, at gumamit ng mosquito repellent. 3 SEEK EARLY CONSULTATION Pumunta agad sa health center kapag lumagpas sa 2 araw ang lagnat. 4 SUPPORT FOGGING Suportahan ang fogging kapag may outbreak, ayon sa health authorities. WARNING SIGNS — SEEK CARE NOW Matinding sakit ng tiyan Walang-tigil na pagsusuka Hirap sa paghinga Pagdurugo ng gilagid o ilong, o dugo sa suka o dumi Sobrang hina, antok, o pagkabalisa

Gawin ang "4 o'clock habit": bawat hapon, mga alas-kwatro, maghanap at maglinis ng mga pwedeng pamugaran ng lamok sa paligid ng bahay — kahit isang beses kada linggo, malaki ang ipinagkakaiba.

2. Mga sintomas ng dengue

Kung may lagnat na lumampas sa 2 araw, magpatingin agad sa pinakamalapit na health center o doktor — huwag hintayin lumala.

3. ⚠️ Warning signs — pumunta agad sa ospital

Pumunta KAAGAD sa ospital kung mayroon ng kahit isa sa mga ito:

Mag-ingat lalo kapag bumababa na ang lagnat (ika-3 hanggang ika-7 araw) — dito kadalasan nagiging severe dengue, na nakamamatay kung hindi maagang magagamot.

4. Habang may lagnat — supportive care

Official source: Department of Health (DOH) — Dengue Prevention and Control Program. This guide is for general information; always follow your doctor and your nearest health center. In any life-threatening emergency, call 911.

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Nova Citizen guides are fact-checked against official Philippine sources. Read our editorial policy or email [email protected] with corrections.