The female Aedes mosquito, which transmits the dengue virus, is the source of dengue disease. Dengue fever can strike a person more than once. The fact that the fever’s symptoms persist for several days indicates that it is a hazardous fever. Stagnant water and tainted stored water are the main variables affecting the growth and spread of dengue mosquitoes.
Dengue fever can be brought by any of the four closely related dengue viruses. It is a severe and fatal sickness spread by mosquitoes. This virus is linked to those that cause West Nile infection and yellow fever. The majority of instances take place in tropical areas of the world.
Except for when it is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her unborn child, Dengue is not contagious from person to person. The initial infection typically has subtle symptoms, but the risk of serious complications increases if you contract a second infection with a different strain of DENV.
Causes of Dengue Fever
One of the four dengue virus types causes dengue disease. You won’t catch dengue fever from being around someone who has it. In contrast, dengue fever is spread through mosquito bites.
The two mosquito species that carry dengue viruses most frequently are prevalent in and around residential areas. The dengue virus enters your circulation after a mosquito bite you, where it grows. As a result, both the infection and the immune system’s response may make you feel sick.
Dengue Symptoms
Each individual has a unique encounter with dengue fever. When symptoms show up, they usually do so four to ten days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These signs can sometimes be confused with other illnesses, like the flu. A high fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit can be brought on by dengue fever (40 C). Typical signs of dengue fever include:
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
- Vomiting
- Headache
- High Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Abdominal discomfort
- Muscle and joint pains
- Mild bleeding from gums and nose
Most people return to normal in about a week. Extreme conditions, however, could cause symptoms to worsen or possibly become fatal. For example, your blood vessels are harmed and begin to leak if you have severe Dengue. As a result, your blood’s platelets are also eroding. This could cause shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death. Warning signs of dengue fever symptoms include the following:
- Fatigue
- Continual vomiting
- Severe stomach pain
- Irritability or restlessness
- Difficult or rapid breathing
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Vomiting or urinating with blood in it
- Intradermal bleeding that resembles bruising
Severe dengue fever is a lethal medical emergency. Let’s say you have Dengue or live in a region where Dengue is common, and you suffer any symptoms. In that situation, getting consulted at the best hospital in Hyderabad is essential.
Diagnosis
DENV infection is diagnosed using a variety of techniques. Depending on the patient’s presence, different diagnostic methods may be more or less appropriate. Therefore, testing should be done on patient samples obtained during the first week of the illness.
Virological Test
This examination looks explicitly for viral components. This testing may not be offered in all medical facilities because it frequently needs specific tools and a team with technical training.
Serological Test
This test looks for antibodies in the blood to determine whether an infection is current or recent. For example, after returning from an overseas trip and developing dengue symptoms, you should consult a doctor to get tested for the virus.
Complications
Severe dengue infection may cause internal bleeding and organ damage. Additionally, very low blood pressure might lead to shock. On rare occasions, severe dengue fever is lethal. Pregnant women who develop dengue fever risk infecting their unborn children with the disease. Furthermore, children born to expectant mothers with dengue fever are more likely to be early, have low birth weights, or experience fetal distress.
Dengue Fever Treatment
The disease caused by Dengue cannot be treated with a specific medication. If you believe you have dengue fever, use dengue fever medication such as acetaminophen-containing pills instead of aspirin-containing ones because they won’t aggravate bleeding. You also need to receive the proper rest, hydration, and medical care. If your symptoms worsen during the first 24 hours after your fever has dropped, you should go to the hospital immediately to be checked for problems.
Dengue Fever Prevention
Preventing mosquito bites is the most significant way to avoid getting sick, especially if you live in or are visiting a tropical area. Precautions and efforts to lower mosquito populations are part of this.
Prevent Mosquito Bites
The World Health Organization stresses that although the dengue fever vaccine can aid in preventing dengue fever in areas where the virus is prevalent, it is ineffective. Instead, avoiding mosquito bites and controlling the mosquito population are the main methods for halting the spread of the dengue virus.
To cut the mosquito population, get rid of mosquito breeding areas. You may use old tires that collect rainwater, cans, or flower pots. Pet water dishes and outdoor birdbaths should both have fresh water periodically changed. Take extra precautions against mosquito bites to protect yourself and other family members if someone in your home contracts dengue fever. Through mosquito bites, infected family members could spread the disease to others in your house.
Rare transmission by transfusions, organ donation, and blood products have been documented. Similar records of the virus’s transovarial transmission within mosquitoes also exist.
The Final Word
Dengue cases reported to WHO have increased more than 8-fold over the past 20 years, from 505,430 cases in 2000 to more than 2.4 million in 2010 and 5.2 million in 2019. In addition, between 2000 and 2015, reported deaths increased from 960 to 4032, mainly impacting younger age groups. The overall number of illnesses and reported deaths appeared to be declining between 2020 and 2021. However, the data is not comprehensive yet, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have made it more difficult for countries to disclose some cases.
Each year, Dengue affects hundreds of millions of people. Even though the majority of instances are mild or symptomless, the thought of having severe Dengue may be unsettling. However, one can take steps to lessen your risk of mosquito bites and pay attention to the symptoms of severe Dengue. In addition, you will probably recover if you contract a severe dengue illness if you receive prompt medical attention.
