Dengue is a viral disease which is transmitted by the infective bite of Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The disease develops after 3-14 days (usually 4-7 days) of mosquito bite. Dengue is of two forms i.e. Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome. Dengue Fever is a flu-like illness whereas Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is a more severe form of disease, which may also lead to death. Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get dengue fever. Risk factors for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever include a person's age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus are thought to be at high risk for developing Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever if infected again.
The list of signs and symptoms of Dengue are listed below
* High fever
* Severe joint pains
* Severe headache
* Pain behind the eye
* Muscle pains
* Swollen lymph nodes
* General weakness
* Nausea & Vomiting
* Rash
* Decreased heart rate
The symptoms of Dengue subside within 2-3 days followed by weakness and sweating.In severe cases, patients suffer from a sudden drop in the number of platelets that help with blood clotting. Reduction in platelet cells causes bleeding through gums and other delicate parts of the body. Bleeding can occur internally from stomach, liver and intestines. Patients with bleeding may go into Dengue Shock Syndrome or Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, mostly among children and young adults.
Dengue Treatment
There is no specific dengue treatment or vaccine to prevent dengue fever. Most people who suffer from dengue fever usually recover in about 2 weeks to a month by getting plenty of rest, increasing fluid intake and taking paracetamol for fever and body aches. People with dengue fever should avoid taking aspirin or medications that contain aspirin because it increases the risk for severe bleeding. Patients with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome require hospitalization. Successful treatment of severe dengue requires careful attention to fluid management and proactive treatment of hemorrhage.
The patients of Dengue should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others.