The Mexican Social Security Institute, in the state of Tabasco, issued new warnings about Dengue Fever.  They are calling on people to prevent standing water during the rainy season, and avoidance of mosquitoes.  Dengue is a human disease, but it’s spread by mosquitoes.

There are two types of Dengue, classic and hemorrhagic.  The problem is that in the initial stages it’s difficult to tell which one you might have.  Hemorrhagic Dengue can be fatal, causing internal bleeding in the later stages.

According to Mexican health officials, unlike most viruses in which your body is able to fight off more easily after the first infection, the more times you come down with a Dengue virus the more likely you’ll end up with the fatal hemorrhagic version.  There are four subtype Dengue viruses.

Also, taking painkillers like aspirin makes bleeding worse.  Symptoms of Dengue are a fever that last three to five days, headache, pain in muscles and joints, bleeding of the gums and nose, vomiting and diarrhea.

Although health officials want you to seek medical attention right away, there is no cure (as with any virus).  There is no approved vaccine, but several states in Mexico are experimenting with a new vaccine.

The best thing you can do is avoid mosquitoes.  Use insect repellant.  Stay away from standing water.  Drain standing water on your property.  Refresh water for your outside pets, or farm animals, at least every three days.