Skip to main content

Dengue Fever: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

 

Dengue fever is a viral infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It can cause mild to severe symptoms, and sometimes it can be life-threatening. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes and symptoms of dengue fever, how to diagnose it, and how to prevent and treat it.

Causes of Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a viral disease that is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. These mosquitoes are the vectors responsible for transmitting the dengue virus to humans through their bites.

There are four types of dengue virus, and infection with one type does not provide immunity to the others. The main cause of dengue fever is the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito, which usually bites during the day. The mosquito can become infected by biting a person who has the virus in their blood, and then transmit it to another person.

Mild Dengue Fever Symptoms

Most people who get infected with dengue virus do not have any symptoms or have only mild ones. These symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after the mosquito bite and last for 2 to 7 days. They may include:

  • High fever (104 F or 40 C)
  • Headache, especially behind the eyes
  • Muscle, bone or joint pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rash, which may appear as red spots or patches on the skin
  • Swollen glands

These symptoms can be easily confused with other illnesses, such as the flu or COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to see a health care provider if you have a fever and have recently traveled to an area where dengue is common. You should also tell your provider about any medications you are taking, especially aspirin or ibuprofen, which can increase the risk of bleeding.

Severe Dengue Fever Symptoms

About 1 in 20 people who get sick with dengue fever develop severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalization. Severe dengue can cause:

  • Bleeding from the nose, gums, or other parts of the body
  • Blood in the urine, stool, or vomit
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue or restlessness
  • Low blood pressure or shock

Severe dengue can damage the blood vessels and reduce the number of platelets, which are cells that help the blood clot. This can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and death. Severe dengue is more likely to occur in people who have had a previous infection with a different type of dengue virus, as well as in infants and pregnant women.

Severe dengue symptoms usually appear after the fever goes away, usually within 24 to 48 hours. If you or someone you know has any of these warning signs, you should seek medical attention right away.

Diagnosis of Dengue Fever

To diagnose dengue fever, your health care provider will ask you about your symptoms, travel history, and exposure to mosquitoes. They will also perform a physical examination and order some blood tests. These tests may include:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which can detect the presence of the virus in your blood sample
  • Antibody test, which can measure your immune response to the virus
  • Complete blood count (CBC), which can check your levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets

These tests can help confirm the diagnosis of dengue fever and rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. They can also help monitor the severity of your infection and guide your treatment.

Treatment of Dengue Fever

There is no specific medicine or vaccine for dengue fever. The treatment is mainly supportive and aims to relieve your symptoms and prevent complications. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to:

  • Rest as much as possible and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
  • Take acetaminophen (paracetamol) to reduce fever and pain (do not take aspirin or ibuprofen)
  • Receive intravenous fluids and electrolytes to replace what you lose from vomiting or bleeding
  • Receive blood transfusions if your platelet count is very low or you have severe bleeding
  • Receive oxygen therapy if you have difficulty breathing

The recovery time for dengue fever varies depending on the individual and the type of infection. Most people with mild dengue recover within a week or so, while those with severe dengue may take longer and need intensive care.

Prevention of Dengue Fever

The best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that carry the virus. This can be done by:

  • Using insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on your skin and clothing
  • Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors
  • Sleeping under a mosquito net or in an air-conditioned room
  • Installing screens on windows and doors
  • Eliminating mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water from containers, such as buckets, pots, tires, etc.
  • Applying larvicides or insecticides to water sources where mosquitoes breed

There is also a vaccine for dengue fever that is available in some countries, but it is not recommended for everyone. The vaccine is only approved for people aged 9 to 45 years who live in areas where dengue is endemic and who have had a previous infection with the virus. The vaccine is not effective for people who have never been exposed to the virus or who are at risk of severe dengue. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before getting the vaccine and continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Conclusion

Dengue fever is a serious disease that can cause mild to severe symptoms, and sometimes death. It is spread by mosquitoes that are infected with the virus. The symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, pain, rash, and bleeding. The diagnosis of dengue fever is based on your symptoms, travel history, and blood tests. The treatment of dengue fever is supportive and depends on the severity of your infection. The prevention of dengue fever involves avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating mosquito breeding sites. There is also a vaccine for dengue fever, but it is not suitable for everyone.

If you have any questions or concerns about dengue fever, you should talk to your health care provider or visit a local clinic or hospital. Dengue fever can be a serious illness, but it can be prevented and treated if you take the necessary steps.

 


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Heart Related Causes of Chest Pain: A Comprehensive Guide

  Chest pain is a common symptom that can have many different causes. Some of them are related to the heart, while others are not. In this blog post, we will explore the most common heart-related causes of chest pain, how to recognize them, and what to do if you experience them. Heart-related causes of chest pain include: Angina: This is a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood and oxygen. It usually happens during physical exertion, emotional stress, or exposure to cold. Angina can feel like pressure, squeezing, tightness, or heaviness in the chest. It may also radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, or back. Angina is a sign of coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Angina can be stable or unstable. Stable angina is predictable and occurs with a certain level of activity or stress. Unstable angina is unpredictable and can occur at rest or with minimal exertion. Unstab
Post a Comment
Read more

Coronavirus Variants Unveiled: Understanding the Threat, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, and Updates of JN.1

  The coronavirus pandemic has been raging for more than two years , and it shows only little signs of slowing down. As the virus spreads and mutates, new variants emerge that pose different challenges for public health and vaccine development. One of the latest variants to be detected is JN.1, which was first reported in Japan in October 2021. What is JN.1 and why is it concerning? JN.1 is a descendant of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, which is currently the dominant strain of the coronavirus worldwide. JN.1 has several mutations in its spike protein, which is the part of the virus that attaches to human cells and allows infection. Some of these mutations are similar to those found in other variants of concern, such as Alpha, Beta, and Omicron. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), JN.1 has been detected in at least 19 countries as of December 2021, including Japan, South Korea, China, India, Australia, Canada, Singapore and the United States. However, its global preval
Post a Comment
Read more

Anthrax: Understanding the Deadly Bacterium

  Anthrax is a serious infectious disease that can affect both humans and animals. It is caused by a type of bacteria called Bacillus anthracis, which can form spores that can survive in harsh conditions for a long time. Anthrax spores can be found in soil, plants, or water, and can infect animals that graze or drink from contaminated sources. People can get anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or their products, such as wool, hide, or meat. Anthrax is not contagious, which means it cannot spread from person to person like the flu or the cold. Types of Anthrax Infection There are four types of anthrax infection in humans, depending on how the spores enter the body: cutaneous, inhalation, gastrointestinal, and injection . Each type has different symptoms and requires different treatment. Anthrax can be fatal if not treated promptly with antibiotics. In some cases, anthrax can also cause a severe allergic reaction called anthrax toxin-mediated shock, which can lead to or
Post a Comment
Read more

Benefits of Vitamins to Eye Health

  Vitamins can help your eyes in many ways. They can protect them from infections, inflammation, and vision loss. In this post, we will share some of the best vitamins for eye health and how to get them from your food. Your eyes are amazing. They let you see the colors, shapes, and movements of the world. But they also need care and nourishment. That's why you should eat foods that are rich in vitamins that support your eye health. What are vitamins and why are they important for eye health? Vitamins are organic compounds that your body needs in small amounts to perform various functions. Some vitamins are essential, meaning that your body cannot make them and you have to get them from food or supplements. Other vitamins are non-essential, meaning that your body can make them from other substances. Vitamins are important for eye health because they help protect your eyes from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can harm your cells and DNA. Free radical
Post a Comment
Read more

Back Pain Uncovered: From Types and Causes to Treatment, Everything You Need to Know

  If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from back pain, you know how frustrating and debilitating it can be. Back pain can affect your quality of life, your productivity, your mood, and even your relationships. But what causes back pain, and what can you do to prevent or treat it? In this blog post, we will explore the most common types of back pain, their possible causes, and the best ways to prevent and cure them. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of your back pain, its causes and cures, and what you can do to improve your condition and your well-being. Let's get started! Types of Back Pain Back pain can be classified into two main categories: acute and chronic. Acute back pain is sudden and usually lasts for a few days or weeks. It can be caused by an injury, accident, muscle strain, or infection. Chronic back pain is persistent and lasts for more than three months. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as aging, degenerative di
Post a Comment
Read more