Dengue

Dengue

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as severe headaches, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and Joint Pain, swelling of lymph glands, and rash. The presence of fever, rash that itches, and severe headache, is characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding in the gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Cause of Dengue

Dengue can affect anyone but tends to be more severe in people with poor immune systems. It is caused by one of five serotypes of the dengue virus, it is possible to get dengue fever multiple times. However, an attack of dengue produces immunity for a lifetime to that particular viral serotype to which the patient was exposed. Dengue is known by other names, including “break bone fever” or “dandy fever.” Victims of dengue often have contortions due to the intense pain in the joints, muscles, and bones, hence the name break bone fever.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness. Symptoms include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of bleeding in the body. Petechiae, small red spots or purple splotches or blisters under the skin, bleeding in the nose or gums, passing stools in black color , or cuts in the body are all possible signs of hemorrhage. This form of dengue fever can be life-threatening and can progress to the most severe form of the illness, dengue shock syndrome.

Prevention and treatment of Dengue

Dengue is a disease caused by mosquito bites. Dengue causing mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, is a striped mosquito that bites during the day. People must be careful to protect themselves from mosquito bites in Dengue infested areas.

Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there are no specific antibiotics to treat it. Antiviral medications are also not indicated for dengue fever. For typical dengue, the treatment is concerned with relief of the symptoms and signs. Home remedies such as rest and fluid intake or oral rehydration, are important. Pain relievers such as aspirin and non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision because of the possibility of worsening bleeding complications. Paracetamol can be prescribed to the patient to relieve fever and pain.

It is always important to control and exterminate any development of Dengue spreading mosquitoes in the area.