Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is caused by four closely related dengue viruses, and is spread when an infected mosquito bites a person. It can cause severe flu-like symptoms and can even lead to death in extreme cases. People of all ages are at risk of contracting dengue fever, so it is important to understand the signs, symptoms, and treatments available.
Early Detection of Dengue Fever: Signs and Symptoms
The severity of dengue fever's symptoms can range from moderate to severe. In mild cases, the symptoms may be like those of the flu, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. In severe cases, dengue can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever, which is a life-threatening condition.
The signs and symptoms of dengue fever usually appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are:
- High fever (40 degree C/104 degree F)
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Swollen glands
- Rash
In some cases, people with dengue may also experience:
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding gums or nose
- Blood in the urine or stool
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Restlessness
Diagnosis and Treatment of Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that is common in tropical and subtropical areas. The symptoms of dengue fever can range from mild to severe, and the disease can be fatal.
Diagnosis
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that is diagnosed with a blood test. The blood test can detect the presence of the dengue virus or antibodies to the virus. There are three main types of tests that can be used to diagnose dengue fever: dengue virus RNA detection, dengue NS1 antigen detection, and dengue IgM antibody detection.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Treatment for dengue is supportive and focuses on symptom relief. This includes:
- Resting
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers
- Avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen, which can increase the risk of bleeding
- If you have severe dengue fever, you may need to be hospitalised.
Treatment for severe dengue fever may include:
- Intravenous fluids
- Blood transfusions
- Monitoring of other vital signs, including blood pressure
Preventing the Spread of Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites. Here are some tips on how to prevent the spread of dengue fever
- Use insect repellent
- Wear long sleeves and pants
- Sleep under a mosquito net
- Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds
- Keep your surrounding clean
- Screen your windows and doors
- Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk
- Avoid areas where mosquitoes are common
Following these preventive strategies can help protect individuals from being infected with dengue fever.
Dengue fever can be a frightening and inconvenient illness, but with the right knowledge and understanding it does not have to be. With early detection and treatment, you can stop a potential outbreak before it has time to cause serious harm. In general, most cases of dengue fever can be treated with rest and plenty of fluids, but more severe cases may require hospitalisation in order to receive proper care. To know more - please contact us at +91(79) 49006800 or visit www.unipath.in