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DENGUE FEVER

Men's Health, Women's Health / By

DENGUE FEVER

  • Dengue fever is a painful mosquito-borne viral disease that can lead to a severe flu-like illness.
  • This disease is spread by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus that are found throughout the world.
  • The mosquito thrives during the rainy season but can breed in water-filled cans and flower pots year-round.
  • It is the most important mosquito infected disease affecting humans worldwide.
  • According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 390 million dengue fever cases are recorded worldwide each year resulting in about 22,000 deaths mostly among children.
  • Dengue fever has its prevalence in tropics and subtropics region of the world with the highest risk occurring in Africa, the Pacific Islands, Mexico, Asia, and Taiwan.
  • In rare cases, the disease can progress into dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome which are life-threatening.
  • In several Asian countries, dengue hemorrhagic fever has become the most prevalent cause of disease and death, especially in children.
  • Dengue fever doesn’t spread from person to person, the only mode of transmission is bites from infected mosquitoes.
  • The mosquito thrives during the rainy season but can breed in water-filled cans and flower pots year-round.
  • It is also referred to as breakbone fever or dandy fever.

CAUSES

  • The dengue fever is caused by four dengue viruses that are spread by Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito and more rarely by the Aedes albopictus, Aedes polynnesiensis, and Aedes scutellaris
  • When a mosquito bites an infected person, the virus enters the mosquito.
  • The virus is then spread when the infected mosquito bites another human.
  • Living or traveling to tropical or sub-tropical areas increases your risk of exposure to the virus causing dengue fever.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

Mild dengue rarely involves fatal complications and symptoms may include:

  • High fever
  • Aching joints and muscles
  • Exhaustion
  • Rash
  • An intense headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swollen glands
  • Vomiting and feeling nauseous
  • Pain behind the eyes

A person with dengue hemorrhagic fever may experience symptoms such as:

  • Bleeding from nose, gums or under the skin.
  • Low levels of blood platelets
  • Weak pulse
  • Sensitive stomach
  • Internal bleeding that can lead to black vomit or stool.
  • Restlessness

Dengue shock syndrome symptoms may include:

  • Severe stomach pain
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Disorientation
  • A fast drop in low blood pressure
  • Fatigue
  • Rapid or difficult breathing

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

 DIAGNOSIS

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, medical and travel history. The doctor may likely ask for a detailed description of international trips, including countries visited and dates, as well as any contact with mosquitoes.  Your healthcare provider may probably order some blood test to confirm the diagnosis.

TREATMENT

Dengue fever is a viral infection and does not have a specific cure or treatment. Interventions can help  depending on how severe the disease is.

The mild dengue fever can be treated by:

Keeping the body hydrated.

Painkillers such as paracetamol to help lower fever and ease the pain.

Painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen should be avoided as they can increase bleeding complications.

In severe cases, you may need:

Blood transfusion to replace blood loss

Blood pressure monitoring

Intravenous fluid supplementation, or drip and electrolyte replacement

In case symptoms get worse, hospitalization may be recommended to help properly monitor such patient.