Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne infection that causes severe flu-like symptoms and can be fatal. This article helps you understand Dengue Fever, Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatments.
In 2018, the monsoon is expected to be very high. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue has drastically increased in the last few years.
What Is Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is an infection caused by dengue viruses, of which there are four different serotypes known to infect humans.
Serotype refers to groups of microorganisms that are extremely closely related but can be distinguished by having slightly different antigens (a foreign substance that causes the body to produce antibodies) or causing the body to produce slightly different antibodies.
Dengue fever is an infection caused by dengue viruses, of which there are four different serotypes known to infect humans.
Symptoms
People may experience
- Muscle pain
- Feeling nauseous
- Headache (frequently)
- Loss of appetite
- High fever triggering often and no antibiotic works
- Pain behind eyes
- Exhaustion
- Rashes
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Swollen glands
- Sudden weight loss
Symptoms In Child
Dengue affects most children below 10 years old. They have to be treated very carefully otherwise it grows fast through stages and they may move to helpless condition.
- Mild bleeding from the nose or gums
- Bruising easily
- A runny nose
- A slight cough
- High Fever
- Small rashes
Symptoms In Toddlers
- A rise in the temperature (fever), which would last for about a week
- Low body temperature
- Be irritable and unsettled
- Very agitated or sleepy
- Cry much more than usual
- Bleeding from gums or nose
- Skin rashes
- Vomit three or more times per day
Dengue Fever Transmission
A mosquito bite transmitted the dengue virus. It is commonly noted as the female mosquito transmits the dengue virus. These mosquito bites are usually in the daytime. Usually found closed and open areas. Other mosquito species can transmit the virus.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in open-and-close areas, basically in wet places, and rarely fly over 200 meters from the breeding site. They do not breed in creeks, swamps, pools, or other bodies of water.
Human beings are the most amplifying source for transmitting the virus. Female mosquitoes ingest the dengue virus circulating in the blood of viraemic humans during feeding. The virus then infects the mosquito mid-gut and subsequently spreads systemically over eight to twelve days. After this extrinsic incubation period, the virus can be transmitted to other humans during subsequent probing or feeding.
Environmental conditions, especially ambient temperature, influence the extrinsic incubation period in part. Thereafter, the mosquito remains infective for the rest of its life.
Diagnosis
Blood tests are used by doctors to detect viral antibodies or infection. If you get dengue symptoms after visiting outside the nation, consult a doctor to see if you are infected.
Severe Dengue Fever
Severe dengue fever is considered if the patient is from dengue risk presenting with fever from over 2 to 7 days with the following features:
- Evidence of plasma leakage, such as:
- High or progressively rising haematocrit
- Pleural effusions or ascites
- Circulatory compromise or shock (cold and clammy extremities, weak or undetectable pulse, narrow pulse pressure, un-recordable blood pressure)
- Significant bleeding
- An altered level of consciousness (restlessness, coma)
- Severe gastrointestinal involvement (persistent vomiting, increasing or intense abdominal pain, jaundice)
- Severe organ impairment (acute liver failure, acute renal failure) or other unusual manifestations
Treatment
Looking at how severe the dengue fever is, the doctors recommend some of the following tips and procedures to recover from dengue fever.
- Controlling fever and pain with Paracetamol rather than aspirin (aspirin may promote bleeding) and increasing fluid intake
- Aspirin should not be given to children under 12 years of age unless recommended by a doctor
- Transferring blood under doctor diagnosis
- Special care at the hospital
- continuous Observation
However, watching out for some signs and symptoms of Dengue fever while recovering is important. Call your doctor if you find below severe dengue symptoms or consult a doctor immediately.
- Decreased urination
- Few or no tears
- Lethargy or confusion
- Dry mouth or lips
- Cold or clammy extremities
Prevention
- Exclusion from childcare, preschool, school, or work is usually not necessary but people experiencing fever from dengue infection should not be in an environment where they may be bitten by mosquitoes. If this is not possible they should stay at home until they have no fever and are therefore no longer infectious (usually 3 to 5 days).
- There is no vaccine to prevent human infection by this virus.
- Personal protection and the environmental management of mosquitoes are important in preventing illness.
- Prevent access of mosquitoes to an infected person with a fever.
- Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times in dengue areas.
