Abstract
Dengue fever is a disease caused by Aedes mosquitoes. Read the article to learn more about its transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Contents
Published on May 29, 2014 and last reviewed on May 10, 2022 - 5 min read
Abstract
Dengue fever is a disease caused by Aedes mosquitoes. Read the article to learn more about its transmission, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The symptoms will appear in 4-12 days after an infected mosquito bites. It can sometimes have lethal complications like hemorrhagic fever. Dengue fever can more commonly be seen in tropical areas like Asia, the western Pacific islands, Africa, and Latin America.
Usually, one in four people infected with the dengue virus will become sick, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.
The severe form of dengue can become a life-threatening condition within a few hours of acquiring the infection and often requires medical care with hospital admission.
Dengue fever is caused by the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes. Not all Aedes mosquitoes’ bite causes dengue. Only those infected Aedes mosquitoes that carry the virus cause dengue fever.
Mode of Transmission:
Mosquito to Human:
The virus is transmitted to humans when the infected female mosquitoes bite them. Primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the causative agent. Other species in the Aedes genus can also act as vectors, but their contribution is only secondary to Aedes aegypti.
When the mosquito feeds on a DENV-infected person, the virus will start to replicate in the midgut inside the mosquito before being disseminated to secondary tissues, including the salivary glands. The extrinsic incubation period (EIP) is the time between the ingestion of the virus and the actual transmission to a new host. Once infected, the Aedes aegypti mosquito can spread the virus for the rest of its life.
Human to Mosquito:
Mosquitoes can get infected by feeding on the viremic people with the Dengue virus (DENV). The people who show no signs of illness are asymptomatic. The mosquito can flourish during rainy seasons and breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans. One mosquito bite is enough to cause the disease.
The virus is not contagious, and it cannot spread directly from one person to another; it can spread only through a mosquito bite. It is a mosquito-borne disease, so there must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway.
A mosquito, when feeds on a dengue-infected person, can get infected with the dengue virus. That mosquito will then bite another person and transmit the dengue virus infection to that person. Avoiding mosquitoes is essential to prevent the contraction of dengue fever.
Human-to-mosquito transmission can take up to 2 days before someone shows symptoms of the illness (up to 2 days after the fever has resolved). The risk of mosquito infection is positively associated with high viremia and high fever in the patient; conversely, high levels of DENV-specific antibodies are associated with a decreased risk of mosquito infection.
Other Mode of Transmission:
The primary mode of transmission of the dengue between humans requires the mosquito as a vector. However, there is evidence of the possibility of maternal transmission of the virus from a pregnant mother to her baby. When a pregnant woman has a dengue virus infection, her baby may suffer from preterm birth, low birth weight, and fetal distress. At the same time, vertical transmission rates are very low, with the risk of vertical transmission usually linked to the timing of the dengue infection during the pregnancy.
Dengue has the classical triad of symptoms of fever, rash, and headache. Therefore mild symptoms of dengue could be confused with other diseases that cause fever, aches, pains, or a rash.
Fever.
Nausea and vomiting.
Rash.
Aches and pains in eyes (usually behind the eyes), muscles, joints, or bones.
Symptoms may usually last for about 2–7 days, and most people will recover after about a week.
Other symptoms include:
Joint pain.
Lymphadenopathy.
Bleeding gums.
Painful eyes.
Gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea).
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a complication of dengue fever which has fatal symptoms like:
Abdominal pain.
Bleeding (hemorrhage).
Shock.
Respiratory symptoms.
Nosebleeds (epistaxis).
If you suspect you have dengue fever, watch for the warning signs that usually begin within 24-48 hours once your fever has gone away.
Contact your nearby emergency room immediately if you or a family member has any of the following symptoms.
Belly pain or tenderness.
Bleeding from the nose or gums.
Feeling tired, restless, or irritable.
Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool.
Vomiting (at least three times a day).
Testing To Detect The Virus:
This test will detect elements of the virus directly. This type of testing usually requires specialized equipment and trained staff. Therefore, it may not be available in all medical facilities.
Serological Test:
This test will detect antibodies in the blood to confirm any current or recent infection. If you experience dengue symptoms after a recent travel history outside the country, you should see a healthcare professional to check whether you have the virus.
Treatment is usually symptomatic and more concentrated on hydration by oral rehydration therapy or intravenous fluids (IV fluids). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Aspirin are usually contraindicated as they can lead to hemorrhage. Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) can be given in case of severe joint and muscle pain.
The best way to prevent dengue is to stop the transmission of the virus. Proper hygiene must be maintained as these mosquitoes usually grow in places like containers or jars with stagnant water. Limiting exposure to mosquitoes is the only way to prevent dengue. In dengue-endemic tropical and sub-tropical areas, people should wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants or trousers. They should also use insect repellent, sprays, and coils, and stay or sleep indoors in the air conditioning when possible, and use mosquito nets over the bed if available.
Severe dengue fever can lead to internal bleeding and organ damage. Blood pressure can also drop to dangerous levels, causing shock. In a few cases, severe dengue fever can even lead to death.
Women who get dengue fever during pregnancy can sometimes spread the virus to the baby during childbirth. And the babies of women who have dengue fever during pregnancy have a higher risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, or fetal distress.
Facts About Dengue Fever:
Dengue fever is a disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes transmit a specific family of the virus.
Dengue virus is widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical regions.
There is no specific treatment or antibiotic to treat dengue fever. The treatment is usually symptomatic.
The acute phase of the disease with fever and muscle pain will last about one to two weeks.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a syndrome that will affect children under the age of ten. This can cause abdominal pain, hemorrhage (bleeding), and circulatory collapse (shock).
Dengue fever can be prevented by controlling or completely eradicating the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue.
Dengvaxia is a vaccine given for dengue fever since May 2019 for use in dengue-endemic areas.
The warning signs of dengue are:
- Abdominal pain.
- Lethargy.
- Continuous vomiting.
- Liver enlargement that is more than two centimeters.
- Mucosal bleeding.
- Accumulation of fluid.
- Restlessness.
- A rapid decrease in platelet count.
Dengue fever is a viral infection that is transmitted by the mosquito. The virus causing dengue is known as the dengue virus. It is a serious condition that requires severe medical attention. Self-medication should be avoided for dengue. You can get help from icliniq.com.
The first sign of dengue involves fever, rashes, pain in the eyes, joint pain, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, internal bleeding will be seen.
The fruits that are suitable for dengue are kiwi, lemon, tangerines, strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, all other citrus fruits.
The foods that are good for dengue fever are:
- Pomegranate.
- Broccoli.
- Fenugreek.
- Coconut Water.
- Turmeric.
- Spinach.
- Orange.
- Papaya Leaf.
The time taken for the symptoms to show up is known as the incubation period. The incubation period might vary according to the virulence of the infection. The symptoms start expressing in the patient after four to ten days of infection. The symptoms of dengue might last up to one week.
Rashes in dengue can be in the form of macules or papules. Macules are flat lesions that can be seen along with discoloration. A papule is a lesion that has a severe change in color and texture. These rashes occur in the face, thorax, and hands.
Changing the diet pattern can help in faster recovery of the patient. The foods that aid in faster recovery are:
- Papaya leaf juice. It is the best remedy for papaya leaf juice.
- Vegetable juices.
- Coconut water. This will prevent dehydration.
- Herbal tea.
- Neem leaves.
No, dengue cannot provide symptoms like flu. The flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, and fever are not noticed in dengue. Hives might also start developing within five days.
If the child is having dengue fever, sufficient rest should be given. In order to overcome the dehydration, excessive intake of water is advised. You can cool the skin of the child using a cool water massage with a sponge. If the child is suffering from severe symptoms, immediate hospitalization might be required.
The three stages of dengue fever are:
- Stage 1: Dengue fever.
- Stage 2: Dengue hemorrhagic fever.
- Stage 3: Dengue shock syndrome.
It is not advisable to give antibiotics for dengue fever. Dengue is a viral fever. Antibiotics cannot be helpful for this viral infection. Analgesics are prescribed for dengue patients.
Paracetamol is given for dengue patients at an interval of six hours. This is helpful in reducing the symptoms of high fever. You can also get recommendations from your doctor.
The following should be avoided for dengue fever.
- Fried foods.
- Spicy foods.
- Caffeine.
- Carbonated drinks.
The vaccine is not available for dengue in all countries. Some countries hold the license for dengue vaccines, and it can be given at age nine. The World Health Organization suggests that the dengue vaccine can be given only to patients who already had a viral infection with dengue.
People who are below 15 years of age have a high susceptibility to getting dengue fever. People who travel a lot also have an increased level of risk for dengue.
Yes, dengue fever can be cured. It might usually take two to seven days for dengue fever to cure completely. You should consult your doctor to get appropriate treatment options.
The treatment for dengue fever requires proper rest. Acetaminophen should be given to control the elevated level of fever. It is advised to take large quantities of fluid so that the patient will stay hydrated.
Last reviewed at:
10 May 2022 - 5 min read
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