This is not true because the elderly are still at risk of dengue fever and can become seriously ill if infected. The reason is that the aging process weakens the immune system, reduces organ function, and makes it difficult to cope with virus attacks. When not treated promptly, patients can experience many complications such as shock, kidney failure, cardiovascular collapse…
Vietnam circulates 4 types of Dengue hemorrhagic fever virus, a person can get the disease 4 times in their life. Increasing age increases the probability of getting the disease from the second time onwards. After being infected with a virus for the second time or more, the severity of the disease is often more severe than the first time because old antibodies can bind to the new virus type, causing a strong and severe inflammatory response.
After recovering from illness, it is more difficult for the elderly to recover. According to research by The Straits Times In 2022, about three months after contracting the disease, about 18% of elderly patients will continue to experience fatigue, headaches, memory loss, loss of concentration, and decline in function and quality of life.
Elderly people get vaccinated against dengue fever at VNVC. Image: Moc Thao
Therefore, the elderly need to prevent dengue fever, including vaccination. In your case, you have had the disease before, the immunity gained from the previous disease only lasts from 6 months to a year, the risk of reinfection is still high. Vaccines will help the body have longer-lasting protective immunity, while also protecting the body against other types of viruses
Vietnam has a dengue vaccine that can prevent all 4 types of Dengue virus including Den-1, Den-2, Den-3, Den-4. The vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing disease is up to 80% and up to 90% of the risk of hospitalization and complications. Two-dose regimen three months apart, no testing required before injection.
In addition, you need to combine measures to kill mosquitoes, mosquito larvae and prevent mosquito bites to fully protect your health, such as sleeping under mosquito nets, wearing long-sleeved clothes, turning flower vases and water pots upside down, and not allowing mosquitoes to stay. live…