Respect the dengue.

Unfortunately, my time at TCDF coincided with an outbreak of dengue fever in the area. Dengue fever is spread through the bite of a female mosquito. The symptoms of dengue include fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Not particularly fun. Unlike malaria, there is no preventative pill to take.  The only way to prevent dengue is to avoid mosquito bites altogether. The most effect method is to wear DEET.

However, if you’re allergic to DEET, as I am, you’ll just have to put your faith in something a little less chemical. After a few days my legs were covered in bites. I had to admit that my natural bug repellant was no match for the local mosquitoes. I found the lowest concentration of DEET repellant available (12%) and decided to endure the red burning rash it always gives me.

A few volunteers came down with dengue and had to go to the local hospital. Judging from their stories, it was not a pleasant experience.

So you can imagine how terrified I felt when during my second week I realized my face was burning hot with a fever. I went to bed early and did my best to sleep it off. The next morning I felt weak, achy, and lacked an appetite. Manual labor in that condition is basically impossible. I tried to take it easy for a few days but the reality was I just couldn’t fufill my volunteer obligations. Another volunteer, Val, was also sick (her much worse off than I) so we decided to leave a few days early and recuperate in Ranong. We were ready for air conditioning and hot showers.

Of course, getting to Ranong wasn’t so simple. For the first time in the history of Paksong the bus came through early. It actually took us several minutes to realize that we had missed it. We were left on the side of the road attempting to hitch our way to Ranong. One friendly driver took us to the junction and a short while later we got a ride into town. My hair looked awesome.

So, did I have dengue? I’ll never know. Only a blood test can confirm it and there was no way I was going to the village hospital. But when I compared my symptoms to the volunteers who did have the blood test, it seems pretty likely. Although, I must say, my case was fairly mild. Thank goodness.

xo, jill

PS I just want to make sure it’s clear that TCDF actively does all it can to prevent mosquitos from breeding and spreading dengue. The disease was brought in by a volunteer who had been vacationing in a different part of Thailand. It happens.

Respect the dengue.

Unfortunately, my time at TCDF coincided with an outbreak of dengue fever in the area. Dengue fever is spread through the bite of a female mosquito. The symptoms of dengue include fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain. Not particularly fun. Unlike malaria, there is no preventative pill to take.  The only way to prevent dengue is to avoid mosquito bites altogether. The most effect method is to wear DEET.

However, if you’re allergic to DEET, as I am, you’ll just have to put your faith in something a little less chemical. After a few days my legs were covered in bites. I had to admit that my natural bug repellant was no match for the local mosquitoes. I found the lowest concentration of DEET repellant available (12%) and decided to endure the red burning rash it always gives me.

A few volunteers came down with dengue and had to go to the local hospital. Judging from their stories, it was not a pleasant experience.

So you can imagine how terrified I felt when during my second week I realized my face was burning hot with a fever. I went to bed early and did my best to sleep it off. The next morning I felt weak, achy, and lacked an appetite. Manual labor in that condition is basically impossible. I tried to take it easy for a few days but the reality was I just couldn’t fufill my volunteer obligations. Another volunteer, Val, was also sick (her much worse off than I) so we decided to leave a few days early and recuperate in Ranong. We were ready for air conditioning and hot showers.

Of course, getting to Ranong wasn’t so simple. For the first time in the history of Paksong the bus came through early. It actually took us several minutes to realize that we had missed it. We were left on the side of the road attempting to hitch our way to Ranong. One friendly driver took us to the junction and a short while later we got a ride into town. My hair looked awesome.

So, did I have dengue? I’ll never know. Only a blood test can confirm it and there was no way I was going to the village hospital. But when I compared my symptoms to the volunteers who did have the blood test, it seems pretty likely. Although, I must say, my case was fairly mild. Thank goodness.

xo, jill

PS I just want to make sure it’s clear that TCDF actively does all it can to prevent mosquitos from breeding and spreading dengue. The disease was brought in by a volunteer who had been vacationing in a different part of Thailand. It happens.