What Is Dengue Fever?
Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.
The incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years. Up to 50–100 million infections are now estimated to occur annually in over 100 endemic countries, putting almost 4 billion people at risk.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Symptoms, which usually begin 4-10 days after infection, may include:
High fever
Headache
Pain behind the eyes
and muscle pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Skin rash
Sometimes, symptoms are mild and easy to mistake for those of the flu or another viral infection. Younger children and people who have never had dengue fever before tend to have milder cases than older children and adults.
Sometimes, mild cases can become more severe and turn into dengue hemorrhagic fever. It's a rare complication with symptoms such as:
Intense stomach pain
Vomiting that doesn't stop.
Bleeding from the nose and gums.
Blood in your pee, poop, or vomit.
Bleeding under your skin, like a bruise.
Difficulty breathing or breathing very quickly.
Feeling restless or irritable.
The infection may lead to severe bleeding, shock, and death. This is called dengue shock syndrome (DSS). It's important to get medical attention right away if you have these symptoms.
Laboratory tests may include for dengue:
Molecular tests for dengue virus (PCR)—detect the presence of the virus itself; these tests can diagnose dengue fever up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms and can be used to determine which of the 4 different serotypes of dengue virus is causing the infection.
Antibody tests, IgM and IgG—detect antibodies produced by the immune system when a person has been exposed to the virus; these tests are most effective when performed at least 4 days after exposfever.
Complete blood count (CBC)—to look for low platelet count typical of the later stages of the illness and to detect the decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell (RBC) count (evidence of anemia) that would occur with blood loss associated with severe dengue fever.
Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
to monitor kidney function and look for evidence of dehydration that can occur with severe illness.
Treatment for Dengue
Most people with dengue feel better in a few days.
There is no treatment for dengue, but you can help ease your symptoms by:
.Resting
.Drinking plenty of fluids
.Taking paracetamol to help.
.Bring down your temperature and ease any pain
.Wear Protective Clothing
.Use Mosquito Repellents or invest in a mosquito net.
Do not take anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin. These can cause bleeding problems if you have dengue.
If you have severe dengue, you'll need to stay in hospital until you recover.
Preventing Dengue Fever
To prevent dengue fever is to avoid being bitten by a mosquito: wear clothing that covers the body as much as possible, apply lotion or mosquito repellent sprays, take steps to remove mosquitos breeding grounds – maintaining tidiness around the house, covering all water containers, changing water in vases and pots every 7 days. Prevention also includes getting vaccination as recommended by the doctor.
Who is eligible for the vaccination?
Vaccination is only suitable for those age 12 to 45 years old, with evidence of a previous dengue infection. (blood test or verifiable medical records showing positive results for dengue antibodies).
The 1st dose should be given at least 6 months after the episode of dengue infection.
A pre-vaccination dengue screening test can be taken to assess if there has been a previous infection if you are uncertain of your prior dengue infection status.
How safe is the vaccine and what are its potential side effects?
The new type of dengue fever vaccine has been proven safe with long-term population follow-up research which included studies of Thai individuals. The vaccine is now being used in many countries worldwide. Potential side effects may vary from person to person, but they are generally mild and include symptoms such as pain at the injection site, headaches and muscle pain, although these side effects mostly resolve on their own within 1-3 days.
Tips include from trusted Source:
wearing clothes that cover the body
using mosquito repellents on the body
using mosquito nets
using window and door screens
treating camping gear or clothes with insect repellent before use
if possible, avoiding being outside at dawn, dusk, and early evening
remove any stagnant water around the home and avoid camping near still water
check that drains, plant pots, and other features are not collecting water.