What's Dengue fever? Is it serious? What are the treatment options?

Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue fever is characterized by sudden onset after an incubation period of 3-14 days,most commonly 4-7 days, high fever, severe frontal headache, and joint and muscle pain. Many patients have nausea, vomiting, and rash. The rash appears 3-5 days after onset of fever and can spread from the torso to the arms, legs, and face. The disease is usually self-limited, although convalescence can be prolonged. In severe cases, the prompt infusion of intravenous fluids is necessary to maintain adequate blood pressure. Because shock may develop suddenly, vital signs must be monitored frequently. Hypotension is a more frequent complication of dengue fever than severe hemorrhage.

Dengue fever is caused by mosquito bite. It is manifested by sudden onset of fever, rash, headache and joint pains. Dengue fever is common in mosquito infested areas.

Commonly seen in India, almost as an epidemic, especially during the monsoon which is the breeding time for mosquitoes. Basically you get severe pain in the eyes, head, and extremities. also fever and rash.A lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) follows if it gets serious. Maintenance of the patient's circulating fluid volume is the central feature of DHF care.

Symptoms include sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days, joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae, nosebleeding when fever starts to subside, abdominal pain, vomiting of coffee-colored matter, and dark-colored stools.

Dengue gets really serious when it develops into dengue hemorrhagic fever. That's when there's a serious complication of blood loss leading to shock. For that, IV therapy is done.

Dengue mosquitoes are low flying mosquitoes, so they bite at the lower extremities. One of the best ways to prevent it is to eradicate the dengue mosquito's breeding places. Make sure there's no stagnant water anywhere.

Is it true that when you are bitten by mosquitos in the morning the higher risk in dengue fever.

I know that this dengue fever is very contagious and it might lead to death. But is malaria a form of dengue as well? What is there similarity?

Dengue fever is a type of virus with four strings. Person can easily be infected by a bite coming from a mosquito who is the carrier of these duisease. You can notice person infected on these illnes if there are blood fluids mostly on the gums and high fever. Well antibiotics will be given to lower down the fever and remove muscle pain. If its sever it will undergo blood transfussion.

Where did dengue originate? Is it in the string of malaria?

All I know that malaria and dengue is similar on how it is transferred to humans. Mosquitoes are the one who is responsible in transmitting theses disease to us. Better to fumigate your house and the nearby surrounding to avoid getting this illness.

Is blood transfusion a treatment for dengue fever?

Yes, this is a treatment for dengue fever. This helps remove the infected blood and the gangue virus as well. Doctors consider this as the last line of treating this disease.

How does this disease develop?

danica111 - 20 May 2009 03:50 PM

How does this disease develop?

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 headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash.

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.

Is dengue similar to malaria?

Is it true that is you get bitten by mosquitoes during the day you’ll get a high risk of getting dengue?

I think it’s similar with malaria since they come from mosquito bites. The only differ on the type of strain and treatment that they have.

Yes, the symptoms are the same with malaria but it’s a different strain. This could be fatal if you didn’t give the necessary medications to the patients.

mangobango - 04 June 2009 07:03 PM

Yes, the symptoms are the same with malaria but it’s a different strain. This could be fatal if you didn’t give the necessary medications to the patients.

Yes, you are correct. Dengue is a new strain of dieases that we get from mosquito. Sine time evolves, diseases and ailments also mutates. I haven't seen or read about malaria cases all I've read are dengue fever.

Is there any shot that we can prevent of getting dengue fever?

stuffjoy - 10 June 2009 08:18 PM

Is there any shot that we can prevent of getting dengue fever?

There is no vaccination yet available for dengue. The highest risk of getting dengue fever is around daytime. That’s why you must wear light colored shirt to avoid them.