What is Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is caused by a virus which is transmitted by an infected Aedes mosquito – Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite infected humans, and later transmit infection to other people they bite.
The disease usually is self-limiting but in some people can present with life-threatening complications such as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome.
Symptoms
The symptoms usually develop within 4-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms of classic dengue include:
- High fever (up to 40.6 C)
- Severe headache with retro-orbital (behind the eye) pain
- Severe joint and muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body rash which appears on day 3 or 4
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is a severe form of dengue fever which can result in death and is characterized by severe bleeding from the nose, gums, or under the skin causing purplish bruises.
Dengue Shock Syndrome is the most severe form which usually occurs in children having a re-infection and is sometimes fatal. It often presents with massive bleeding and shock (very low blood pressure).
Diagnosis
Dengue fever is diagnosed by doing two blood tests 2 to 3 weeks apart which will determine if the blood samples contain antibodies to the virus.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever and most people recover within 2 weeks. To help with recovery, general measures include:
- Getting plenty of bed rest
- Drinking lots of fluids
- Taking medicine to reduce fever. Avoid aspirin but paracetamol is considered safe.
For severe dengue symptoms including shock and coma, hospitalization and aggressive emergency treatment with fluid and electrolyte replacement may be necessary to save lives.
Complications
Most people with dengue fever recover completely within 2 weeks. The more clinically severe dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndromes can result in vascular (blood vessel) and liver damage and can be life-threatening.
Prevention
The best way to prevent dengue fever is by taking precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which include:
Using a mosquito repellent containing DEET, or oil of lemon and eucalyptus.
Dressing in protective clothing during the day-long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes especially in early morning hours before daybreak and in the late afternoon after dark.
Keeping unscreened windows and doors closed. Getting rid of areas where mosquitoes breed, such as standing water in flower pots, containers, and bamboo poles
Another way is to eat a healthy diet and exercise to keep your immune system working at its best. The immune system of a trained person works better to fight chronic and acute disease than the immune system of a sedentary person. Regardless of the age, sex health status, being more physically active will have a positive impact on physiology and how the body works internally.
*Source: Health Promotion Board
