- Overview of Dengue
- Definition of Dengue
- Causes of Dengue Fever
- Risk Factors of Dengue
- Symptoms of Dengue Fever
- When do you see a Doctor?
- A Complication of Dengue Fever
- Treatment of Dengue Fever
1. Overview of Dengue
Dengue ( DENG) fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Mild fever causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms. The severe form of the disease, also called dengue hemorrhagic can cause serious bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and death. Millions of cases of dengue infection occur worldwide each year.
Dengue fever is most common in Southern Asia, the western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa. But the disease has been spreading to new areas, including outbreaks in Europe and southern parts of the United States. Research is working on the dengue fever vaccines. For now, in areas where dengue fever is common, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take steps to reduce the mosquito population.
2. Definition of Dengue
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The primary vector that transmits the disease is Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and to a lesser extent, Ae albopictus. The virus responsible for causing dengue is called the dengue virus.
3. Causes of Dengue Fever
This disease is caused by any one of your types of fever. You can’t get dengue from being around an infected person. Instead, this fever is spread through mosquito bites. The two types of mosquitoes that most often spread the dengue virus are common both in and around human lodgings. When a mosquito bites a person infected with a dengue virus, the virus enters the mosquito.
Then, when the infected mosquito bites another person, the virus enters that person’s bloodstream and causes an infection. After you will recovered from dengue, you have long-term immunity to the type of virus that infected you but not to the other three virus type. Your risk of developing severe fever increases if you get dengue fever a second, third, or fourth time.
4. Risk Factors of Dengue
You have a greater risk of developing this fever or a more severe form of the disease if:
- You live and travel in tropical areas. Being in tropical and subtropical areas increases your risk of exposure to the virus that causes dengue. Especially high-risk areas include Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Islands.
- You have had dengue in the past. Previous infection with this virus increases your risk of severe symptoms if you get dengue fever again.
5. Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Many people experience no signs or symptoms of dengue infection. When the symptoms do occur they, may be mistaken for other illnesses such as flu, and usually begin four to ten days after you are bitten by the infected mosquito.
Dengue fever causes a high fever and any of the signs and symptoms:
- Headache
- Muscle, bone, or joint pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain behind the eye
- Swollen
- Rash
Most people recover within a week or so. In some cases, symptoms worsen and become life-threatening. This is called severe dengue or dengue shock syndrome Severe fever happens when your blood vessels become damaged and leaky. And the number of clot-forming cells in your bloodstream drops. This can lead to shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death.
Warning Signs Of Severe Fever Include:
- Severe stomach pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Bleeding from your gums and nose
- Blood in your urine, stool, or vomit
- Bleeding under the skin which might look like burnishing
- Difficult or rapid breathing
- Fatigue
- Irritability or restlessness
6. When Do You See A Doctor?
Severe dengue is a life-threatening medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention if you are recently visited an area in which dengue is known to occur, you have a fever and you develop any of the warming signs. Warning signs included severe stomach pain vomiting difficulty breathing, blood in your nose, gums, vomit, and stools.
7. Complication Of Dengue Fever
This fever can cause internal bleeding and organ damage. Blood pressure can drop to a dangerous level causing. Shock in severe cases of fever leads to death. Women who get dengue fever during pregnancy may be able to spread the virus to the baby during childbirth. Additionally, babies of women who get dengue fever during pregnancy have a high risk of pre-term birth, low birth weight, or fetal distress.
8. Treatment of Dengue Fever
There are a lot of treatments for dengue but some are written here:
- Vaccine
- Medication
- Prevent mosquitoes bites
- Stay in an air conditioner or well-screened housing
- Wear protective clothing.
- Use mosquito repellent
- Reduce mosquito habitat.
