GlaxoSmithKline Partners with DOH and Philippine Pediatric Society to Spread Dengue Fever Awareness

Dengue Fever is no fun. In some regions, it has reached epidemic proportions and even the rates of dengue fever have spiked dramatically in other countries.

Believe it or not, mosquitoes carrying the deadly and dreaded dengue fever were found in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park for the first time in 70 years,
while some scientists in Brazil breed genetically modified and super-mosquitoes to stop the spread of Dengue fever.

Dengue is a worldwide health issue.  And that is why we must commit to fight Dengue.

Image source: AFP Photo/Nelson Almeida - A researcher collects eggs of transgenic Aedes aegypti mosquitos, at an Oxitec laboratory in Campinas, Brazil, August 21, 2014

Amid the rainy season in the Philippines, the Department of Health  advised the public to stay watchful against the year-round threat dengue. We should never be complacent.

Why? Because the most dangerous animal bite in the world is also the most common and often go unnoticed. 

Photo released by National Institute of Infectious Diseases via Kyodo News.

Caused by the deadliest insect in the world, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne disease in the world and is more rampant in countries with tropical climates like the Philippines.

Dengue affects more children than adults, with kids one to nine years old as the most vulnerable victims because of their predilection to mosquito bites.

Last Friday, August 29, GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and maker of doctor-recommended Paracetamol Calpol, launched its Paracetamol Calpol's Aksyon Laban sa Dengue program held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

GlaxoSmithKline joined forces with the Department of Health and the Philippine Pediatric Society in spearheading a campaign called “Aksyon Laban sa Dengue: A Dengue Fever Awareness and Education Program” as well as a Barangay Caravan that will bring dengue fever awareness efforts to the grassroots level.

The event was hosted by fiitness enthusiast and TV personality Suzi Abrera.

The World Health Organization has recommended Paracetamol as the preferred and only recommended analgesic treatment for Dengue Fever. Aspirin or ibuprofen is not advised as these drugs may aggravate bleeding.

Calpol®, a product of GSK, contains Paracetamol specially designed to offer effective relief from the discomforts of pain and fever among children. Calpol® also has the broad suitability associated with standard paracetamol so you can be assured that it won’t harm your child when used as directed.

Dengue continues to spread due to globalization, urbanization, climate change, increasing population, pollution problems, inadequate mosquito control and lack of community support to fight this disease.

“Dengue is a clever and cunning disease,” declares Dr. Sally Gatchalian, secretary of the Philippine Pediatric Society. “It can disguise itself as other diseases. So, during the rainy season, which is when we usually see an increase of dengue cases, it is important to be on the lookout for fever that is at least of two days duration”.

Here are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever:

•  Fever that lasts for more than 2 days.
•  headaches
•  nausea and vomiting
•  loss of appetite
•  abdominal pain
•  muscle and joint aches
•  rashes
•  bleeding manifestations.

If any of these symptoms are present, the patient must seek their doctor’s advice immediately. Remember, Dengue is serious and potentially fatal. Quick and accurate detection is needed to arrest this disease. There is no treatment but it can be prevented and stopped. The important thing is to know the facts about the disease.

 “While there is no specific medicine to cure Dengue, we can, however, alleviate the pain felt by the child by at least managing their fever, like giving them Paracetamol Calpol which provides soothing fever relief you can rely on, ” says Jeofrey Yulo, GM of GSK consumer health care. “When a child has fever, they feel weaker and lack the energy to enjoy life. So when fever strikes, it’s like they are putting their life on hold. In these times, you need a reliable partner to help provide a feeling of ginhawa that your sick child needs.”

Eliminating dengue must be a community effort. One such remarkable initiative is the partnership of the DOH, the PPS and GlaxoSmithKline, maker of doctor-recommended Paracetamol Calpol which targets selected barangays within Metro Manila with identified high cases of dengue incidence.

The DOH will initially be facilitating the training of health practitioners to discuss new dengue incidence and disease trends as well as updates on its prevention and treatment guidelines. The PPS health committee will then cascade these dengue modules based on DOH guidelines with the selected barangays. On its part, GSK will be bringing doctors to these areas to lead the Dengue information campaign to help Filipinos protect their families and loved ones from this deadly menace.

Mommy Bloggers taking their commitment against Dengue.

“You can protect your loved ones by knowing more about this debilitating disease, its prevention and management. At the onset of dengue-related symptoms immediately seek the advice of your family physician. In cases of fever, (paracetamol) Calpol®  is the Filipino mom’s partner in providing effective , soothing fever relief that is suitable for children.” adds Yulo.  “And because nothing works faster on fever than the Paracetamol in Calpol®, you are assured of your child going back to his normal, playful self again”.

To know more about (Paracetamol) Calpol®, and its Dengue campaign, visit their official website www.calpol.com.ph  or like them on Facebook.