Dengue Fever

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Dengue Fever is a viral infection characterized by fever. It is caused by a bite from a mosquitoe carrying the dengue virus. Dengue is prevalent throughout the tropics and subtropics. Cases have been reported in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, South Asia and Africa.

Cases have also been imported via tourists returning from areas with widespread dengue. The virus infects more than 50 million people a year and kills about 24,000

Reported Cases in South America

Dengue Fever Symptoms

Dengue starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache. Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness. The temperature rises quickly as high as 104° F (40° C), with relative low heart rate and low blood pressure. The eyes become reddened. A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.

Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by rapid drop in temperature with profuse sweating. This precedes a period with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows. A characteristic rash appears along with the fever and spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body except the face. The palms and soles may be bright red and swollen.

Sometimes dengue fever is a mild illness, but the secondary forms of this disease are called Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome. These usually are caused by a secondary infection with a different type of Dengue virus, but may also be caused by the same virus that causes Dengue Fever.

Early symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever are similar to those of dengue fever, but after several days symptoms may include fever, bleeding under the skin, red spots on the legs, and bleeding into the intestines. A marked fall in blood pressure (shock) occurs in very severe cases and shock may cause death.

Typically, dengue does not result in death. It is fatal in less than 1% of cases. The acute phase of the illness with fever and myalgias lasts about one to two weeks. Convalescence is accompanied by a feeling of weakness, and full recovery often takes several weeks.

Dengue Fever Prevention

Travelers can reduce their risk of getting dengue fever by protecting themselves from mosquito bites. The main type of mosquito that spreads dengue are usually active at dusk and dawn, but may feed at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy. Unlike malaria, dengue is often transmitted in urban as well as in rural areas.

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue often breed in man-made and natural containers, which are especially common in and around houses; therefore, dengue is common where many houses are clustered.

Dengue Fever Treatment

Acetaminophen products are recommended for managing fever. Acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (such as ibuprofen) should be avoided because of their anticoagulant properties. Salicylates (e.g., aspirin) should be especially avoided in children due to the association with Reye syndrome.

Those infected should also rest and drink plenty of fluids. Rehydration with intravenous (IV) fluids is often necessary in severe cases.

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