DENGUE: Dengue is a viral infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The primary vectors responsible for transmitting dengue include Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and, Ae. Albopictus. Dengue may be found in tropical and sub-tropical climates, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. The virus which is responsible for causing this disease is called dengue virus (DENV) and is an RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae. Severe dengue leads to a cause of serious illness and it may cause death.
dengue
DENGUE FEVER:
• Dengue fever is also called break-bone fever or Dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dengue fever causes a high fever and produces flu-like symptoms.
• People with weakened immune systems as well as those with a second subsequent dengue infection are more prone to developing dengue hemorrhagic fever.
• Dengue fever is transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes or ticks. Hence it is called arboviruses(which means arthropod-borne virus)Humans are the primary host of the virus but it also circulates in non-human primates.
• The infection can be acquired even after a single bite.
Dengue is caused by?
Dengue fever is caused by the DENV virus. The virus is transmitted to the mosquito when it bites an infected person and transmits it to a healthy individual.
The DENV contains 4 serotypes including DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, AND DENV-4 all serotypes can cause the full spectrum of disease.
DENGUE MOSQUITO:
Several species of female mosquitoes are responsible for causing Dengue. Aedes species commonly cause dengue include,
• Aedes aegypti
• Aedes albopictus
• Aedes scutellaris
• Aedes polynesiensis
The Aedes mosquitoes usually bite during the daytime.
DENGUE SYMPTOMS :
The people may experience symptoms after 4-10 days of mosquito bites. Symptoms may not be shown in some people.
Symptoms include high fever 104F(40C) with any of the following
• Eye pain
• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Loose motion
• Rashes/red spots
• Joint pain
• Bone pain
• Dizziness
• Adynamia
• Insomnia
• Redness of the throat
• Anorexia
• Heat
• Rapid pulse
• Abdominal pain
Severe disease symptoms Include
• Bloody stool
• Vomiting with traces of blood
• Dengue shock syndrome(sudden fall in blood pressure)
• Irritable
• Restlessness
• Stomach upset
7 WARNING SIGNS OF DENGUE:
1. Abdominal pain or tenderness
2. Persistent vomiting
3. Liver enlargement ( more than 2 cm)
4. Mucosal bleeding/internal bleeding
5. High hematocrit with decreased platelet count in the blood
6. Lethargy
7. Fluid accumulation
HOW DENGUE IS TRANSMITTED?
• When a mosquito carrying the dengue virus bites a healthy person, the virus enters the skin together with the mosquito’s saliva.
• The virus enters the WBC and reproduces inside the cells and moves throughout the body.
• In severe infection, the virus production inside the body increases and damages the vital organs including the liver and bone marrow.
• The fluids from the blood streams leak through the wall of small blood vessels into the body cavities and blood circulation.
• Later stage it leads to dysfunction of the bone marrow which is responsible for the
production of platelets resulting in an increased risk of bleeding.
What is the incubation period of dengue?
The incubation period of dengue is 3-14 days
PHASES OF INFECTION:
The course of infection is divided into 3 phases
1. Febrile phase: High fever often 40C and then returning for one or two days. People may experience generalized pain including
• Headache, may last within 2-7 days
• Rash occurs in the first two days
• Petechiae(small red spots on skin)
• Mild bleeding from mouth and nose
2. Critical phase: follows the resolution of high fever and typically lasts within 1-2
days. During this phase, people may experience
• Fluid accumulation in the chest and abdominal cavity
• Decrease blood supply to vital organs
• Internal bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract
• Shock and hemorrhage
3. Recovery phase: Resorption of the leaked fluids into the bloodstream. This usually lasts for 2-3 days. People in this phase can experience
• Severe itching
• Slow heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
GRADES OF DENGUE FEVER:
Dengue hemorrhagic fever was subdivided into 4 grades
Grade I -presence only of easy bruising
Grade ll-spontaneous bleeding into the skin
Grade lll clinical evidence of shock
Grade IV– severe shock leads to falling in blood pressure and pulse cannot be detected
RISK FACTORS OF DENGUE:
• Living or traveling in tropical areas
• Prior infection with a dengue fever virus
COMPLICATIONS OF DENGUE FEVER:
• Neurological disorders such as transverse myelitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Lung damage
• Acute liver damage
• Infection of the heart
• Shock and may also cause a death
HOME REMEDIES:
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Papaya leaves extract which increases platelet count
• Take bed rest
• Otc medication (acetaminophen) can relieve pain and reduce fever
• Drinking orange juice helps in eliminating the dengue virus
• Chew basil leaves, which improve immunity
• Neem aids in increasing the body’s blood platelet count
• Fenugreek leaves help to reduce dengue fever
PREVENTION OF DENGUE FEVER:
• Prevent entry of mosquitoes by use of mosquito screens for doors and windows
• Use air cooling
• Avoid public spaces
• Use insect protection
• Check for symptoms
• Keep all drains free from choke
• Wear full sleeve cloths
• Avoid stagnant water in surrounding
• Use mosquito repellent spray
DENGUE TEST:
A dengue fever test is used to find out if you have been infected with the dengue virus or not. A number of tests are also available to confirm the diagnosis including detecting antibodies to the virus or its RNA.
1. Dengue NS1 antigen: Blood test helps to detect the presence of dengue virus
2. Immunoglobulin M (Ig M) and Ig G: Test for detecting antibodies in the blood
3. Dengue RNA-RCR test: Helps to identify the different Serotype of the dengue virus
4. Complete blood count: helps to count the platelets. This test is also called a full blood test. The main components of the CBC are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Test to monitor health conditions.
Dengue
DENGUE TREATMENT:
There is no specific medicine to treat dengue though it can be managed by
• Oral rehydration therapy
• Intravenous fluids
• Blood transfusion
Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in Thailand: Geomedical Observations on Developments Over the Period 1970–1979: 1983 / 1983 (Sitzungsberichte der Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften) Buy Now