Dengue Fever Symptoms

Dengue Fever Symptoms Disease

Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any of four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called "break-bone fever" because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain that feels like bones are breaking.Dengue fever of multiple types is found in most countries of the tropics and subtropics particularly during and after rainy season.

It has been seen repeatedly in Texas and Hawaii in this country.The World Health Organization (WHO) estimate 100 million cases annually, this includes 100-200 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mostly in people that have traveled abroad.In recent years there have been increased amounts of epidemics in many parts of the world.

Dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever

There are four types of dengue virus: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4.

People get the dengue virus from the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It is not contagious from person to person.There are three types of dengue fever in order of less severe to most: the typical uncomplicated dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHS) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

The symptoms of classic dengue usually start within a week after being infected. They include very high fever, up to 105°F, severe headache, pain behind the eye, severe joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting and a rash.

In cases of DHF and DSS, all four types can be the cause in descending order of frequency; type 2, 3, 4 and

1.There is evidence that types 2 and 4 need to be secondary infection to cause DHF, while primary infection with types 1 and 3 can cause DHF.Symptoms of DHF include all the symptoms of classic dengue plus severe damage to the blood vessels. Bleeding from the nose, gums or under the skin are common. This form of dengue can be fatal.

Symptoms of DSS include all of the above symptoms plus; fluid leaking outside of blood vessels, massive bleeding and shock. This form of the disease usually happens in children experiencing their second infection.

Pregnant woman dies with dengue symptoms

Two-third of all fatalities occurs among children.

Diagnosis of the disease is often through typical signs and symptoms. Lab tests can be useful. Detection of the virus in acute phase serum within 5 days of onset or specific antibodies in convalescent serum obtained 6 days after onset of illness.

There is no treatment for dengue, just treat the symptoms. 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.

Dengue fever essential data

There is not a vaccine for dengue fever. The CDC recommends the following preventive measures:

The best preventive measure for residents living in areas infested with Aedes mosquito is to eliminate the places where the mosquito lays her eggs, primarily artificial containers that hold water.

For travelers to areas with dengue, as well as people living in areas with dengue, the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes indoors is reduced by utilization of air conditioning or windows and doors that are screened.

Proper application of mosquito repellents containing 20% to 30% DEET as the active ingredient on exposed skin and clothing decreases the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes.The risk of dengue infection for international travelers appears to be small, unless an epidemic is in progress.

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Few Symptoms Of Dengue Fever

The symptoms of dengue fever are similar to acute fevers of viral origin. These are sudden onset of fever, headache, bodyache, joint pains, and retro – orbital pain. Other common symptoms are anorexia, altered taste sensation, constipation, colicky pain, abdominal tenderness, dragging pains in the inguinal region, sore throat and general depression. Patient may or may not have rash. Some of the patients may also show signs of bleeding from the gum, nose, etc.

Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF)

DHF is a severe form of dengue fever. Typically, it begins abruptly with high fever accompanied by headache, anorexia, vomitting and abdominal pain. During the first few days, the illness resembles classical Dengue Fever (DF), but a maculopapular rash is less common.

A haemorrhagic diathesis is commonly demonstrated by scattered fine petechiae on the extremities, face and trunk and in the axilae. A positive tourniquet test and a tendency to bruise at venipuncture site are always present. Bleeding from nose, gums and gastrointestinal tract are less common. Haematuria is extremely rare.

The liver is usually enlarged, soft and tender. Approximately 50% of patients have generalized lymphadenopathy.

The critical stage is reached after 2–7 days, when the fever subsides. Accompanying or shortly after a rapid drop in body temperature, varying degree of circulatory disturbances occur. The patient is usually restless and has cold extremities. Sometimes, there may be sweating.

In less severe cases, the changes in vital signs are minimum and transient. The patient recovers spontaneously or recovers after a brief period of therapy.

Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever is clinically confirmed by the positive tourniquet test (a blood pressure cuff is used to impede venous flow. A test is considered positive if there are > 20 petechiae/square inch).

Thrombocytopenia and haemoconcentration are constant findings in DHF. Haemoconcentration – indicating plasma leakage is always present.

In more severe cases, shock ensues and the patient may die within 12–24 hours. Prolonged shock is often complicated by metabolic acidosis and severe bleeding, which indicate a poor prognosis. If the patient is appropriately treated before the irreversible shock has developed, rapid recovery is the rule.

A major cause of deaths due to Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever is leakage of plasma in the pleural and abdominal cavities leading to hypovolaemic shock. Determination of haematocrit and platelet is essential for diagnosis and case management.

The time course relationship between the fall in the platelet count and a rise in haematocrit level appears to be unique to DHF. These changes occur before the subsidence of fever and before the onset of shock and are correlated with the disease severity.

Encephalitic signs associated with intracranial haemorrhage, metabolic and electrolyte disturbances, and hepatic failure (a form of Reye’s syndrome) may occur. They are uncommon but carry a grave prognosis.

Dengue Shock syndrome (DSS)

All the above criteria, plus evidence of circulatory failure menifested by rapid and weak pulse, and narrow pulse pressure (< 20 mm Hg) or hypo–tension for age cold, clammy skin and altered mental status.

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