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Dengue - Dengue symptom, treatment, causes

Dengue is an acute, feverish illness caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedesgenus. Dengue is widespread and breaks out constantly in tropical and subtropical countries where these mosquitoes live. Outbreaks occasionally occur in Australia, with around 400 cases a year being reported -mostly in northern Queensland or among travellers returning from the tropics.

Dengue fever is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Dengue is most common in cities but can be found in rural areas. Because the immune system recognizes the virus, it overreacts, causing more severe symptoms. Severe cases of dengue fever are called dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. This infectious disease is manifested by a sudden onset of fever, with severe headache, muscle and joint pains and rashes; the dengue rash is characteristically bright red petechia and usually appears first on the lower limbs and the chest - in some patients, it spreads to cover most of the body. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue. Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else. The body produces antibodies, which are disease-fighting cells, that protect the patient who has had dengue fever from being reinfected for around one year. However, more severe cases of dengue fever often occur in patients who have already had the virus, then are reinfected at a later time. Dengue viruses occur in most tropical areas of the world. Most people who have had dengue fever are more likely to have recurring similar viral infections over the years.

Dengue fever nicknamed "breakbone fever" because dengue patients usually express contorted movements due to intense joint and muscle pain. Patients with dengue can only pass on the infection through mosquitoes or blood products while they are still febrile. Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever. With dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums. The mosquitoes that transmit Dengue live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day. Dengue is common in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Australia, and the Americas. It is widespread in the Caribbean basin. Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get Dengue fever. Risk factors for Dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test. There is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. Persons who think they have dengue should use analgesics (pain relievers) with acetaminophen and avoid those containing aspirin. They should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and consult a physician.

Causes of Dengue

The common causes and risk factor's of Dengue include the following:

• Any of the dengue family of viruses.
• Bites of the female striped Aedes aegypti mosquito (vector).
• Having antibodies to dengue virus from prior infection.

Symptoms of Dengue

After an incubation period of 3 to 15 days, there is a sudden onset of headache, fever, severe joint and muscle pains, and swollen lymph glands. These symptoms die down after a few days, only to recur about 24 hours later accompanied by a patchy skin rash. The second bout gradually subsides over 2 or 3 weeks. Serious complications are uncommon.

An unusual form of dengue called dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) can affect children under 10 years in countries where the infection is prevalent DHF is also marked by a sudden' onset of fever and headache but, instead of muscle pain and rash, children develop a sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting, lung symptoms (cough, difficult breathing). bleeding tendencies, and SHOCK that is sometimes fatal.

Some sign and symptoms related to Dengue are as follows:

• Fever and malaise.
• Headache.
• Loss of sense of taste and appetite.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle aches.
• Decreased appetite
• Measles-like rash over chest and upper limbs.

Treatment of Dengue

There is no specific drug for dengue, so bed rest and good nursing are the mainstays of treatment. Painkillers help to relieve joint and muscle pains. DHF should be treated in hospital. Here is list of the methods to treat Dengue:

• Getting plenty of bed rest.
• IV fluids and electrolytes are also used to correct electrolyte imbalances.
• Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.
• Acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain-reducing medicines are safe for most people.
• Oxygen therapy may be needed to treat abnormally low blood oxygen.

There is no vaccine, so prevention rests with protection against bites and control or eradication of mosquitoes. An attack produces immunity for many years.