what is dengue fever

7/23/2019 What is Dengue Fever

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What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by

mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign

course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and

joint pain, swollen glands lymphadenopathy!, and rash. "he presence the

#dengue triad#! of fever, rash, and headache and other pains! is particularly

characteristic of dengue. $ther signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums,

severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.

Dengue pronounced D%&'(gay! stri)es people with low levels of immunity.

*ecause it is caused by one of four serotypes of virus, it is possible to get dengue

fever multiple times. +owever, an attac) of dengue produces immunity for a

lifetime to that particular serotype to which the patient was exposed.

Dengue goes by other names, including #brea)bone# or #dandy fever.# ictims of

dengue often have contortions due to the intense joint and muscle pain, hence

the name brea)bone fever. -laves in the West Indies who contracted dengue

were said to have dandy fever because of their postures and gait.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe form of the viral illness.

anifestations include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of hemorrhage in the

body. /etechiae small red or purple blisters under the s)in!, bleeding in the nose

or gums, blac) stools, or easy bruising are all possible signs of hemorrhage. "his

form of dengue fever can be life(threatening and can progress to the most

severe form of the illness, dengue shoc) syndrome.

What areas are at high ris) for contracting dengue fever?

Dengue is prevalent throughout the tropics and subtropics. $utbrea)s have

occurred recently in the 0aribbean, including /uerto 1ico, the 2.-. irgin Islands,

0uba, and 0entral 3merica. 0ases have also been imported via tourists returning

from areas with widespread dengue, including "ahiti, -ingapore, the -outh

/aci4c, -outheast 3sia, the West Indies, India, and the iddle %ast similar in

distribution to the areas of the world that harbor malaria and yellow fever!.

Dengue is now the leading cause of acute febrile illness in 2.-. travelersreturning from the 0aribbean, -outh 3merica, and 3sia.


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3 5667 outbrea) of dengue fever in 8ey West, 9la., showed that three patients

who did not travel outside of the 2.-. contracted the virus. -ubsequent testing of

the population of 8ey West has shown that up to :: of the people living in the

area have antibodies to dengue. 3s of ;uly


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9ever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by a rapid

drop in body temperature defervescence! with profuse sweating. "his precedes

a period with normal temperature and a sense of well(being that lasts about a

day. 3 second rapid rise in temperature follows. 3 characteristic rash appears

along with the fever and spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body

except the face. "he palms and soles may be bright red and swollen.

What is the treatment for dengue fever?

*ecause dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no speci4c medicine or

antibiotic to treat it. 9or typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with

relief of the symptoms symptomatic!. 1est and Buid inta)e for adequate

hydration is important. 3spirin and nonsteroidal anti(inBammatory drugs should

only be ta)en under a doctorAs supervision because of the possibility of

worsening hemorrhagic complications. 3cetaminophen "ylenol! and codeine

may be given for severe headache and for the joint and muscle pain myalgia!.

What is the prognosis for typical dengue fever?

"ypical dengue is fatal in less than


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In D+9, there is bleeding with easy bruising, blood spots in the s)in petechiae!,

spitting up blood hematemesis!, blood in the stool melena!, bleeding gums, and

nosebleeds epistaxis!. /neumonia is common, and inBammation of the heart

myocarditis! may be present.

/atients with D+9 must be monitored closely for the 4rst few days since shoc)

may occur or recur precipitously dengue shoc) syndrome!. 0yanotic bluish!

patients are given oxygen. ascular collapse shoc)! requires immediate Buid

replacement. *lood transfusions may be needed to control bleeding.

"he mortality death! rate with D+9 is signi4cant. It ranges from @(E6@. ost

deaths occur in children. Infants under a year of age are especially at ris) of

dying from D+9.

+ow can dengue fever be prevented?

"he transmission of the virus to mosquitoes must be interrupted to prevent the

illness. "o this end, patients are )ept under mosquito netting until the second

bout of fever is over and they are no longer contagious.

"he prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes

carrying the virus that causes dengue. In nations plagued by dengue fever,

people are urged to empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and Bower

pots. 'overnmental initiatives to decrease mosquitoes also help to )eep the

disease in chec) but have been poorly eCective.

"o prevent mosquito bites, wear long pants and long sleeves. 9or personal

protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain D%%" when visiting places

where dengue is endemic. Fimiting exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding standing

water and staying indoors two hours after sunrise and before sunset will help.

"he 3edes aegypti mosquito is a daytime biter with pea) periods of biting around

sunrise and sunset. It may bite at any time of the day and is often hidden inside

homes or other dwellings, especially in urban areas.


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"here is currently no vaccine available for dengue fever. "here is a vaccine

undergoing clinical trials, but it is too early to tell if it will be safe or eCective.

%arly results of clinical trials show that a vaccine may be available by 56

what is dengue fever

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