Dengue Fever: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr J Koteswara Rao , Critical Care

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1. Causes 2. Find a Doctor 3. Diagnosis 4. Treatment 5. FAQs

Dengue fever is one of the most common mosquito-borne viral infections in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in India. It is caused by the dengue virus and transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.

The disease typically presents with high fever and flu-like symptoms, but in severe cases, it can progress to life-threatening conditions like dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome.

What are the types of Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever can be classified into two main types based on severity:

Classical Dengue Fever: A mild to moderate illness with fever, headache, joint pain, and rash.
Severe Dengue: Includes dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), characterized by bleeding, plasma leakage, and shock.
Dengue Without Warning Signs: Fever with symptoms like nausea, rash, and body aches without severe complications
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF): Severe form involving bleeding tendencies and low platelet count
Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS): Most critical form leading to severe plasma leakage, low blood pressure, and shock

What are the Symptoms of Dengue Fever?

Symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after a mosquito bite and may vary in severity.

High fever with chills
Severe headache
Pain behind the eyes (retro-orbital pain)
Muscle and joint pain
Skin rash
Weakness and fatigue
Conjunctival redness
Nausea and vomiting

Severe Symptoms of Dengue

Severe abdominal pain
Persistent vomiting
Bleeding from the gums or the nose
Cold, clammy extremities
Reduced urine output
Breathlessness
Altered consciousness
Heavy sweating

What are the Causes of Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is caused by one of four closely related dengue virus serotypes. The virus enters the bloodstream when an infected mosquito bites a person. Once inside the body, the virus multiplies and triggers an immune response, which may damage blood vessels and lead to complications like bleeding and plasma leakage.

The infection is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti , which breed in stagnant water and are active during the daytime. Factors such as urban overcrowding, poor sanitation, and climate conditions that favor mosquito breeding significantly increase the risk of dengue transmission.

When Should You See a Doctor for Dengue Fever?

Seek immediate medical attention from a physician or emergency care specialist if warning signs or severe symptoms occur.

Persistent vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
Bleeding from the gums or nose
Difficulty breathing
Reduced urine output
Extreme weakness or restlessness

What are the Complications of Dengue Fever?

If not treated properly, dengue can lead to severe complications:

Internal bleeding
Low platelet count
Organ damage
Dengue hemorrhagic fever
Dengue shock syndrome
Severe dehydration
Fatigue and weakness

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How is the diagnosis of Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is diagnosed through clinical evaluation and laboratory tests.

Blood tests to detect the dengue virus or antibodies
Complete blood count (CBC) to check platelet levels
ELISA test for confirmation
Rapid diagnostic tests (Dengue Rapidcheck)
Imaging tests like chest X-ray and ultrasound if complications are suspected

Stages of Dengue Fever

Febrile Stage: High fever, headache, muscle pain, and rash lasting 2-7 days.
Critical Stage: Risk of bleeding, fluid leakage, and shock as fever reduces.
Recovery Stage: Gradual improvement with fluid reabsorption and recovery.

What is the Treatment for Dengue Fever?

There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever. Management focuses on supportive care and monitoring.

Maintaining hydration with oral or intravenous fluids
Monitoring platelet count and hematocrit levels
Using paracetamol for fever and pain relief
Avoiding NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen due to bleeding risk
Platelet transfusion in severe cases

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What is the Prevention of Dengue Fever?

Preventing dengue involves reducing mosquito exposure and controlling breeding sites.

Use mosquito repellents
Wear long-sleeved clothing
Install window screens and mosquito nets
Eliminate stagnant water sources
Participate in community mosquito control programs

What is the Recovery Process for dengue fever?

Recovery usually begins after the critical phase and requires proper care and monitoring.

Gradual reduction in fever
Improvement in platelet count
Rehydration and proper nutrition
Adequate rest to regain strength
Follow-up monitoring to prevent complications

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Dengue?

Dengue fever is a viral ailment spread mainly by the Aedes mosquito. It can cause flu-like symptoms and lead to a severe illness called Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS).

2. How is Dengue transmitted?

Dengue is a disease that is spread to humans when they are bitten by female Aedes mosquitoes that are infected. Mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti. Mosquitoes are most active during the daytime, particularly. in the early morning and late afternoon.

3. Is Dengue a life-threatening disease?

While most cases of Dengue result in mild to moderate illness, severe forms of Dengue, such as DHF and DSS, can be life-threatening. Timely medical intervention is crucial in such cases.

4. What are the common symptoms of dengue fever?

Common signs of dengue fever include elevated body temperature, intense migraines, eye discomfort, muscle and joint aches, skin rash, and occasionally minor bleeding such as nosebleeds or gum bleeding.