Everything You Need to Know About Dengue

Everything You Need to Know About Dengue

Everything You Need to Know About Dengue
Health & Wellness Diabetes LIVER KIDNEY

Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is spread by mosquito bites and can cause severe flu-like symptoms in people exposed to it. The Aedes mosquito carries and transmits four distinct viruses that are responsible for Dengue. Some symptoms can be modest, while others can be severe. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) are among the most severe symptoms (DHF). Hospitalization is frequently required. There are presently no vaccines for this disease. Avoiding mosquito bites is the most excellent way to prevent Dengue. If the patient is diagnosed before developing DSS or DHF, treatment is available. More than 400 million people are infected each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There are some quick facts about Dengue disease.

  • The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are widespread all over the world, transmit Dengue.
  • Over a third of the world's population, or over 2.5 billion people, live in areas where dengue fever is possible.
  • At least 100 nations where Dengue is an endemic disease throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Oceans.
  • It is common for symptoms to begin four to seven days after a mosquito bite and linger for three to ten days.

Symptoms and signs to look out for

  • Mosquitoes transmit dengue fever.
  • As the condition progresses, symptoms get more and more severe.
  • Dengue fever is a mild form of the disease.
  • Up to seven days after being infected, symptoms may begin to manifest.

Included are:

  • Excessive pain in body muscles and joints
  • Itchy, recurrence-prone skin rash
  • Feverishly,
  • An unbearable pain
  • Behind the eyes, there is a dull ache.
  • The feeling of being sick to one's stomach
  • After a week, moderate dengue symptoms usually go away, and it seldom causes significant or fatal consequences.

An illness caused by Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

Symptoms of DHF may be minor at first, but within a few days, they begin to deteriorate. There may also be evidence of internal bleeding in addition to the moderate dengue symptoms.

Symptoms of Dengue hemorrhagic fever include:

  • Mouth, gums, or nasal bleeding
  • Clammy skin
  • Lymphatic and vascular damage
  • Vomiting and faces that appear black because of internal bleeding
  • Decrease in platelets in the bloodstream
  • Irritable bowels
  • Tiny traces of blood beneath the surface of the skin
  • Weak heartbeat
  • DHF can be lethal if it goes untreated for too long.

Dengue shock syndrome (DSS)

It is essential to know that DSS is a severe variant of Dengue, and it might be fatal. In addition to the symptoms of a mild case of dengue fever, a person may:

  • An excruciating abdominal ache
  • Disorientation
  • Hypotension, or a rapid fall in blood pressure, occurs suddenly
  • A lot of blood loss
  • Vomiting occurs frequently.
  • Fluid leaks from the blood vessels

Treatment

Because A virus causes Dengue, there is no therapy or cure available. However, depending on the severity of the ailment, intervention may be beneficial.

Treatment options for less severe cases include:

  • Keeping the body hydrated: Vomiting and high fever can cause dehydration. Drinking water from a bottle is preferable to tap water since it is purer. In addition to replenishing fluids and minerals, rehydration salts can also be used.
  • Paracetamol or Tylenol can be used to reduce fever and alleviate discomfort.
  • Aspirin and ibuprofen are examples of NSAIDs that should be avoided since they increase the risk of internal bleeding.

Dengue fever may necessitate treatment for more severe cases:

  • If the patient cannot consume fluids orally, intravenous (IV) fluid supplementation or a drip may be administered.
  • For very dehydrated individuals, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
  • If the patient's symptoms worsen, hospitalization will allow for thorough monitoring.

Causes

It is caused by four dengue virus (DENV) strains. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits them all, and the Aedes albopictus mosquito, which does so less rarely, are the vectors of these diseases. About a century and a half ago, viruses made the leap from monkeys to people. According to the CDC, dengue fever did not become a significant public health issue until the middle of the twentieth century. Initially, it was located in Africa, but it has since spread to tropical places worldwide, particularly in and around the human population. Aedes aegypti. Humans get the virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites a dengue-infected individual, the dengue virus is spread to the next person the mosquito bites. Yes, dengue disease can be contracted repeatedly, and more severe infection is more likely to develop with a second infection.

Diagnosis

Dengue fever has symptoms similar to typhoid fever and malaria, which can lead to inaccurate diagnoses in some cases. A doctor may order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis after evaluating a patient's symptoms and medical and travel history.

Prevention

  • Dengue fever is not preventable by vaccine. It can only be avoided by avoiding mosquito bites.
  • People who live or travel in high-risk areas can take various precautions to keep themselves safe from being bitten by mosquitoes.
  • Use insecticide-treated mosquito netting if you're going to be in a tropical area.
  • Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks, tuck pant legs into shoes or socks and wear a cap to reduce the amount of skin exposed.
  • A mosquito repellent with a concentration of at least 10% diethyltoluamide (DEET), or greater attention for extended exposure times, is recommended. Use caution when administering DEET to children under the age of six months.
  • Using an insecticide-treated mosquito net is better than an untreated net because the mosquito can bite through it. Using the insecticide, you can get rid of mosquitoes and other pesky critters while also deterring them from coming into the room in the first place.
  • Mosquito netting and screens for doors and windows are effective deterrents.
  • Avoid perfumes and soaps with solid scents to keep mosquitoes away.
  • Make sure your clothes, shoes, and camping gear are appropriately treated with permethrin.
  • The best time to avoid being outside is during dawn, dusk, and just before sunset.
  • This mosquito prefers clean, stagnant water to breed. Reduce the danger by checking and eliminating stagnant water.
  • Water will not build in buckets and watering cans if they are turned over and stored undercover.
  • Plant plates should be drained of excess water.
  • Under no circumstances should trash cans be placed beneath an air conditioner.
  • Make sure you're not near any still water when you're camping or picnicking.

Conclusion

By now, you might have been aware of the associated symptoms and causes of Dengue. Quickly rush to the doctor if you find signs of dengue before it gets severe.


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