Dengue – Symptoms, causes, types, and treatment

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and, in severe cases, can lead to life-threatening complications. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the symptoms, causes, types, and treatment of dengue fever.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

1. Initial Symptoms: Dengue fever typically starts with symptoms such as sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue.
2. Mild to Severe Symptoms: As the fever progresses, patients may experience a skin rash, mild bleeding from the nose or gums, easy bruising, and abdominal pain.
3. Warning Signs: In severe cases, dengue fever can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS), characterized by severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, rapid breathing, and fatigue. These are medical emergencies requiring immediate attention.

Causes of Dengue Fever

1. Viral Transmission: Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
2. Viral Strains: There are four distinct serotypes of the dengue virus (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), all capable of causing dengue fever. Infection with one serotype does not provide immunity to the others and can, in fact, increase the risk of severe dengue if reinfected with a different serotype.

Types of Dengue Fever

1. Classic Dengue Fever: This is the most common form of dengue fever, characterized by the symptoms mentioned earlier, including high fever, headache, joint pain, and rash.
2. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF): DHF is a severe form of dengue fever characterized by bleeding, low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), and plasma leakage, leading to shock if not managed promptly.
3. Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS): DSS is a life-threatening complication of DHF, where plasma leakage leads to shock, with symptoms such as rapid weak pulse, cold clammy skin, and restlessness.

Treatment of Dengue Fever

1. Supportive Care: There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever. Treatment is primarily supportive and focuses on relieving symptoms, maintaining fluid balance, and preventing complications.
2. Fluid Replacement: Intravenous fluids may be necessary to manage dehydration and maintain blood pressure in severe cases of dengue fever, especially in DHF and DSS.
3. Pain Management: Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) are used to reduce fever and relieve pain. Avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin is recommended due to the risk of bleeding.
4. Hospitalization: Patients with severe dengue, especially those showing warning signs or developing DHF/DSS, require hospitalization for close monitoring and supportive care.

Prevention of Dengue Fever

1. Mosquito Control: Preventing mosquito bites is key to preventing dengue fever. Use mosquito repellents, wear protective clothing, and use mosquito nets, especially in areas with high mosquito activity.
2. Eliminate Breeding Sites: Remove stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, such as in containers, flower pots, and gutters. Keep the surroundings clean and free of mosquito breeding sites.
3. Community Efforts: Community-based mosquito control programs, including insecticide spraying and larval control measures, can help reduce mosquito populations and prevent dengue outbreaks.

In conclusion, dengue fever is a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Understanding its symptoms, causes, types, and treatment is essential for early diagnosis, management, and prevention of severe complications. Efforts to control mosquito populations and raise awareness about dengue prevention play a crucial role in reducing the burden of this disease on communities.