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Dengue is a disease that is spread by the mosquito AedesAegypti. The dengue fever causescan relate to one of the four virus strains of the disease. Once someone has been infected with any of the strains of the dengue virus, the person develops immunity to that particular virus for the rest of their life. However, they can still be infected with the other three virus strains. A person can be infected with all four dengue viruses during their lifetime. The dengue fever causing viruses are related to those that also cause West Nile virus infection and yellow fever.
Dengue fever symptoms can range from mild to severe. Thesymptoms of dengue fever include dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). The dengue fever treatment for severe symptoms usually requires hospitalization.
Facts aboutDengue Fever
Some key facts about dengue fever:
- Dengue is transmitted by the mosquitoes AedesAegypti and AedesAlbopictus
- Dengue fever symptoms usually begin 4 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and usually last between 3 to 10 days
- Dengue fever can be treated effectively if the diagnosis is made early on
Signs and Symptoms of Dengue Fever
- Symptoms of Mild Dengue Fever
Dengue fever symptoms can appear up to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The symptoms include:
- Aching joints and muscles
- Body rash
- High fever
- Intense headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Vomiting and feeling nauseous
These dengue fever symptoms usually disappear after a week, and hardly involve serious or fatal complications.
- Dengue HaemorrhagicFever (DHF) Symptoms
At the initial stages, the symptoms of DHF may be mild. But, the symptoms will worsen within a few days. Along with the mild dengue fever symptoms, there may also be signs of internal bleeding. A person suffering from DHF can experience:
- Bleeding from gums, nose, and/or mouth
- Clammy skin
- Damage to blood vessels
- Internal bleeding
- Low level of platelets in the blood
Without proper treatment, dengue feverthis severe can be fatal.
- Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) Symptoms
DSS is another severe form of dengue and can be fatal. A person infected and suffering from DSS will show the following symptoms, along with those of mild dengue:
- Intense stomach ache
- Fast drop in blood pressure
- Disorientation
- Heavy bleeding
- Regular vomiting
Again, without proper dengue fever treatment, DSS can result in death.
Treatment of Dengue Fever
Dengue is caused by a virus and there is no specific cure or treatment for it. However, medical intervention can help, depending on the severity of the disease.
For the milder form of dengue fever, the treatment includes:
- Preventing Dehydration: High fever and vomiting can lead to body dehydration. To prevent this, the infected person should drink clean water. Rehydration salts can also aid in replacing lost fluids and minerals.
- Painkillers such as paracetamol can help lower fever and ease pain.
More severe forms of dengue fever, such DHF and DSS will require:
- Intravenous (IV) fluid supplements, if the person is unable to take fluids by mouth
- Blood transfusion for those with severe dehydration
At present, there is no vaccine present to protect against dengue fever, and the only way to prevent it is to avoid mosquito bites. To avoid exposure to dengue causing mosquitoes, one should avoid going out at dawn, dusk, and early evening. Wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts will also help avoid getting bitten. There are also mosquito repellents. If you think you are suffering from dengue, it would be advisable to visit your doctor at once, to rule the possibility of dengue fever.
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