Personal anti-dengue protection tips: What really works

MANILA, Philippines - Like any other buzzing issue in the country, dengue has its own share of hearsay and gossip; alarmingly so, that rumors have spread. This leaves people misinformed and confused over contradicting techniques to drive away mosquitoes that may carry dengue.

For example, has anyone ever advised you to use lemon dish soap or mouthwash to repel mosquitoes? Better yet, were you told to try eating large amounts of garlic to keep away mosquitoes?

Though these suggestions may sound ridiculous to some, fact of the matter is that dengue outbreaks are serious and the increasing numbers of victims have left others desperate and willing to try everything, even measures that have not been proven effective.

Did anyone ever tell you that there is no anti-dengue vaccine? Well, they got that right this time. They weren’t just trying to scare you. As of today, there is no vaccine to prevent and no medicine to cure dengue. Makes you think, right? So, how can we fight mosquitoes we barely see?

Well, the best answer to that is self-protection. Here are a few tips:

• Aside from wearing long sleeves and pants, the best way to repel insects is to apply an effective insect repellent.

• When you go to the grocery and scan the shelves, you’ll find that there’s a variety of products available. Some may claim to be soothing, relaxing even; but don’t let these distract you. Remember, you’re in search of the most effective product. Mosquitoes that may carry dengue are a serious matter, meaning beauty or other added benefits are only secondary especially now with the increasing number of dengue cases in Metro Manila.

• Keep in mind that the most effective repellents are those applied on the skin, meaning bands and necklaces that claim to repel insects will likely fall short of the kind of protection you need. Insect repellents that contain garlic, eucalyptus or citronella may offer some protection in lower-risk areas but requires multiple applications of the product.

The best option is DEET-based insect repellent lotions. DEET is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States to have excellent insect repelling qualities. Furthermore, DEET is also acknowledged by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Environmental Health to be generally safe to use on young children, including infants two months old and up.