introduction to dengue fever:
Dengue fever (DEN-gee) is a fever caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes. Infections can cause fever, headache, rashes, and body aches. Most cases of dengue are mild and resolve on their own after a couple of weeks.
Dengue fever rarely strikes the continental United States, although small outbreaks have occurred in Texas, Florida, and Hawaii. But dengue is common in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and therefore the US Virgin Islands.
It’s also found in many tropical countries in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.
If you propose to travel to another country, especially within the tropics, it’s resentenced to protect yourself from dengue fever.
Using insectifuge, covering sleeping areas with mosquito nets, and staying out late in the dark and early morning (when mosquitoes are most active) can help reduce the chances of infection.
Symptoms of dengue fever:
Most people do not experience any signs or symptoms of dengue fever. When symptoms do occur, they will be confused with other illnesses, like the flu, and typically begin four to ten days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Dengue fever causes a high fever of 104 F (40 C) and any of the following signs and symptoms:
• Headache.
• Muscle, bone, or joint pain.
• Nausea.
• vomiting.
• Pain behind the eyes.
• lumps.
Most people recover within a week or so. In some cases, the symptoms worsen and may be life-threatening. this is often called severe dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever, or dengue shock syndrome.
Severe dengue occurs when blood vessels are damaged and collapse. And therefore the number of clot-forming cells (platelet) in the blood decreases.
This will cause shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death.
Warning signs of severe dengue, which is life-threatening, can develop rapidly. Warning signs usually start each day or two after the fever goes away and may include:
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Bleeding from the breasts or nose.
• Blood within the urine, stool, or vomit.
• Bleeding under the skin, which can look like bruising.
• Difficult or fast breathing.
• Fatigue.
• Irritability, ,restlessness, or Anxiety disorders like symptoms.
Causes of dengue fever:
Dengue fever is caused by any of the four types of dengue virus. you can’t catch dengue fever from being around an infected person. Instead, dengue is spread by mosquito bites.
Two sorts of mosquitoes that commonly transmit dengue viruses are common in and around human settlements.
When a mosquito bites an individual infected with dengue, the virus enters the mosquito. Then, when an infected mosquito bites someone, the virus enters that person’s bloodstream and causes infection.
After you get over dengue fever, you’ve got long-term immunity to the type of virus that infected you, but to not the other three types of dengue fever virus.
This suggests that you can become infected again in the future with one of the other three types of
viruses. Your risk of developing severe dengue increases if you’ve got dengue for the second, third, or fourth time.
Risk factors of dengue fever:
You are at greater risk of contracting dengue or a more severe form of the disease if you:
• Living or traveling in tropical areas. Being in tropical and subtropical areas increases the danger of exposure to the virus that causes dengue fever.
Particularly vulnerable areas include Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific Islands, Latin America, and Africa.
• you’ve got had dengue fever before. Being infected with the dengue virus increases the risk of severe symptoms if you get dengue fever again.
Severe dengue can cause internal bleeding and organ damage. the vital signs can drop to dangerous levels, causing shock. In some cases, severe dengue can lead to death.
Women who contract dengue during pregnancy can transmit the virus to the baby during delivery.
Additionally, infants of girls infected with dengue fever during pregnancy are at increased risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, or fetal distress.
Diagnosis of dengue:
Doctors can detect the dengue virus by doing a biopsy to detect the virus or antibodies. If you get sick after traveling to the tropics, tell your doctor.
This enables your doctor to evaluate the possibility that your symptoms may be caused by the dengue virus.
eye area This includes taking precautions and efforts to stay mosquitoes to a minimum.
In 2019, the FDA approved a drug called Dengvaxia to assist prevent the disease from occurring in adolescents ages nine to 16 who have already been infected with dengue.
However, there’s currently no vaccine to prevent the general public from contracting it.
Prevention of dengue fever:
• Use mosquito repellent, even indoors.
• When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers tucked into socks.
• When inside, use air con if available.
• ensure windows and doors are secure and free of holes. If sleeping areas aren’t lighted or air-conditioned, use mosquito nets.
• If you’ve got symptoms of dengue, ask your doctor.
To reduce mosquitoes, eliminate mosquito breeding sites. These include old tires, cans, or pots that collect water. Regularly change the water in outdoor birdbaths and pet water bowls.
If someone in your household has dengue, be very careful in your efforts to guard yourself and other family members from
mosquitoes.
A mosquito that bites an infected loved one can spread the infection to other people in your home.
Treatment of dengue fever:
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever.
While you’re recovering from dengue, drink many fluids. Call your doctor immediately if you’ve got any of the following signs and symptoms of dehydration:
Decreased urination Few or no tears xerostomia or lips Tiredness or confusion Cold or clammy extremities
The over-the-counter (OTC) medication acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can help reduce muscle pain and fever.