Ever gotten a mosquito bite and panicked about dengue? You're not alone! Dengue is a nasty mosquito-borne illness, but unfortunately, there's no way to tell just by looking at a mosquito if it's carrying the virus.

Here's the deal:

• Dengue lives inside: Dengue is a virus, microscopic particles that live within the mosquito. They don't cause any physical changes we can see.
• Many mosquito types: Dengue is spread by a specific kind of mosquito, the Aedes aegypti. While these mosquitoes have distinct black and white markings, other mosquito varieties look similar. Just spotting a certain kind of mosquito isn't enough to determine if it carries dengue.

So what can you do?

While you can't identify infected mosquitoes, here are some ways to protect yourself from dengue:

• Ditch the stagnant water: Mosquitoes breed in still water. Empty any containers that hold water around your house, like old tires, buckets, or clogged gutters.
• Be a fortress: Use mosquito nets while sleeping and wear long sleeves and pants, especially during peak mosquito times (dawn and dusk).
• Repellent is your friend: Apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin.

If you're bitten:

Don't panic! Most mosquito bites aren't dengue. However, be aware of dengue symptoms like high fever, severe headache, muscle aches, and rash. If you experience these, see a doctor right away.

Remember, prevention is key! By taking steps to avoid mosquito bites, you significantly reduce your risk of dengue.