Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever, also known as break-bone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Infection with the dengue virus may be subclinical (no apparent symptoms) or may cause illness ranging from a mild fever to a severe, even fatal condition such as dengue haemorrhagic fever (resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage) or dengue shock syndrome (where dangerously low blood pressure occurs).

Dengue Fever Symptoms 

These symptoms are most commonly seen in adults and older children. Young children may show no symptoms. The incubation period ranges from 3-14 days, but most often it is 4-7 days. Typical symptoms may include:

Sudden onset of fever (lasting three to seven days)

Intense headache (especially behind the eyes)

Muscle and joint pain (ankles, knees and elbows)

Unpleasant metallic taste in mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain

Flushed skin on face and neck, fine skin rash as fever subsides

Rash on arms and legs, severe itching, peeling of skin and hair loss

Minor bleeding (nose or gums) and heavy menstrual periods

Extreme fatigue

Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever Symptoms

This is a rare complication of Dengue. It is more commonly seen in children aged under 15 years, but can occur in adults.

Same signs as dengue fever

2-5 days after onset of fever, rapid deterioration and cardiovascular disease

Perhaps shock and sometimes death

Treatment

There are no specific treatments for dengue fever. Treatment depends on the symptoms, varying from oral rehydration therapy at home with close follow-up, to hospital admission with administration of intravenous fluids and/or blood transfusion. A decision for hospital admission is typically based on the presence of the “warning signs” (symptoms), especially in those with pre-existing health conditions.

Types of Dengue

Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, particularly A. aegypti. The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can cause the disease. The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway.

There are four types of dengue virus that cause dengue fever worldwide – Dengue 1, 2, 3 and 4. A person infected with one type of dengue will subsequently only be immune to that type. He or she will not be immune to other types of dengue and will, in fact, be at risk of developing severe symptoms if they contract another type of dengue.

Prevention

There are no approved vaccines for the dengue virus. Prevention depends on control of and protection from the bites of the mosquito that transmits it.  The primary method of controlling A. aegypti is by eliminating its habitats. This is done by emptying containers of water or by adding insecticides or biological control agents to these areas. People can prevent mosquito bites by wearing clothing that fully covers the skin, using mosquito netting while resting, and/or the application of insect repellent.

REFERENCES:

Dengue Fever – Wikipedia: the free encyclopaedia
Health Information – Dengue in North Queensland
MedicineNet.com

Prepared by:
FE WATMORE, R.N., BSEEd