Dengue fever is a serious mosquito-borne disease that occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, especially in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. Some of the mild symptoms of dengue are fever, rashes, muscle and joint pain. If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms mentioned above, it is highly recommended that you get checked out as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms of dengue?
Dengue symptoms in children and adults begin between three and 15 days after the mosquito bite transfers the virus to the body. Some of the initial symptoms are-
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Fever and chills including chills and sweating at the same time,
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Rashes (itching) or red spots,
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swollen lymph nodes,
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Back pain or pain behind the eyes.
In some cases, if the situation worsens, it can also be life-threatening. In such a condition, the blood vessels get damaged and leak. The number of clot-forming cells, also known as platelets, present in the bloodstream is greatly reduced. Some of the serious symptoms of dengue fever in both children and adults are:
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hemorrhagic fever,
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persistent vomiting,
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Minor bleeding from the gums and nose,
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severe abdominal pain,
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Bleeding under the skin that looks like a bruise,
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Problems in the liver, heart and lungs,
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Rashes can occur on the palm of the hand and feet leading to bacterial infections,
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Blood pressure can drop severely.
What are the causes of dengue?
Dengue symptoms occur when a person is bitten by a special type of infected mosquito, known as Aedes Aegypti. The virus is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans.
Some of the complications of dengue fever include: dehydration, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, severe liver and neurological damage.
What are the risk factors for dengue fever?
Some of the common risk factors for dengue fever are:
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Traveling to tropical or endemic areas where dengue is a very common disease. Increases the risk of exposure to the virus that can cause dengue fever.
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If one is repeatedly bitten by an infected mosquito.
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Not taking further precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites.
What are the diagnostic and treatment options for dengue?
To diagnose dengue fever, patients should first consult with their doctor about their medical and travel history. The most common blood test is a complete blood count in which the technician examines the patient’s red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (RBC) count, and platelet count. Other tests depend on the patient’s immune response to dengue virus, such as- Dengue Viral Plaque Reduction Test, IgG-ELISA, etc.
Treatment consists of drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. The doctor may prescribe acetaminophen (a type of medicine) that helps relieve pain and reduces fever. As home remedies, one can opt for papaya leaf extracts which are very helpful in increasing the level of platelets in the blood.
What are the precautionary measures that must be opted for?
The two important prevention tips that will help reduce the risk of mosquito bites are: wear fully covered clothing while traveling and use a mosquito repellent that contains at least a 10 percent concentration of DEET.
