Dengue Fever - How To Tackle It?

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito. About 400 million dengue infection cases occur worldwide every year with about 96 million of them turning severe. Dengue is most widespread in tropical regions such as India, South-East Asia, Central and South America, South China, Taiwan and Africa among others. There are 4 distinct types of dengue virus and the symptoms can appear within 3-14 days of the bite.

Causes

1. It is primarily caused due to the bite of the ‘Aedes aegypti’ mosquito.

2. A mosquito becomes infected with dengue if it bites an already infected person. The disease can be transmitted to any healthy person that this infected mosquito bites next.

3. Living near a stagnant water body or an open drain makes you the most vulnerable to this disease. Letting water accumulate in open containers or spaces over a period of time makes it the perfect breeding ground for all types of mosquitoes.

Symptoms:

If you have a weak immune system or have suffered from this disease previously, you could be at increased risks of it. Common symptoms include:

1. High fever all of a sudden
2. Severe headache accompanied by vomiting tendencies
3. Pain in the eyes and the eye socket
4. Severe pain in the joints and muscles
5. Too easily tired and fatigued
6. Skin rashes which may appear within a week of the onset of fever
7. Mild bleeding from the nose or gums

Rush to the doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. If not treated on time, it can lead to severe problems such as Dengue Hemorrhagic fever, damage to the lymph nodes and blood vessels, liver enlargement, permanent damage to the circulatory system and even death. In medical terminology, all these complications are clustered into DSS (dengue shock syndrome).

Ways to prevent dengue include

1. Avoid storing water in containers

2. Wear clothes that cover your whole body, if possible

3. Maintain hygiene and clean your immediate surrounding frequently

4. Use mosquito repellent

5. Use a mosquito net around your bed

In worst case scenarios, death is a possibility as a result of dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock. Many countries consider dengue to be an epidemic. You need to be on complete bed rest while drinking adequate amounts of fluids if you need to recuperate from dengue.

Is it contagious? 
Dengue is not a contagious disease. It can only spread through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.

How it can be treated?

1. If you suspect dengue, you must rush to the doctors and get the diagnosis done. Timely start of therapy is essential to tackle the Dengue Shock Syndrome and internal bleeding.
2. Complete bed rest and sufficient intake of fluids is advised
3. Pain relievers can be administered along with Acetaminophen but Aspirin should be strictly avoided
4. If you are unable to eat normally, intravenous fluids will be administered to prevent dehydration
5. A platelet transfusion may also be considered