Dengue

Dengue Fever Overview

• Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness.
• Prevalence: Millions of cases occur worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Global spread: Dengue fever is expanding to new areas, including parts of Europe and the United States.

Mild and Severe Forms

• Mild form: High fever and flu-like symptoms.
• Severe form (dengue hemorrhagic fever): Can cause serious bleeding, shock, and death.

Prevention

• Mosquito avoidance: The best prevention methods focus on reducing mosquito bites.
• Mosquito control: Implement measures to reduce the mosquito population.
• Vaccines: Ongoing research is exploring the development of dengue fever vaccines.

Symptoms

A mosquito-borne viral illness. Purpose of the content: To provide information on the symptoms of dengue fever. Symptoms of Dengue Fever

• Asymptomatic cases: Many individuals experience no symptoms.
• Flu-like symptoms: High fever (104°F/40°C) and symptoms resembling the flu.
• Specific symptoms: Headache, muscle/bone/joint pain, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, swollen glands, rash.
• Recovery: Most people recover within a week.

• Dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome: A life-threatening complication.
• Symptoms: Damaged blood vessels, decreased platelet count, shock, internal bleeding, organ failure.
• Warning signs: Severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding (gums, nose, urine, stools), difficult breathing, fatigue, irritability, restlessness.

Causes

A mosquito-borne viral illness. Purpose of the content: To provide information on the causes of dengue fever. Dengue Virus Types

• Four types of dengue viruses: Any of the four types can cause dengue fever.
• Human-to-human transmission: Dengue fever is not spread through contact with an infected person.

• Vector mosquitoes: Common mosquitoes found in and around human settlements transmit the dengue virus.
• Infection cycle: Infected mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans through their bites.

• Long-term immunity: Recovery from dengue fever provides immunity to the infecting virus type.
• Increased risk of severe dengue: Subsequent infections with different virus types increase the risk of severe dengue.

Risk Factors

A mosquito-borne viral illness. Purpose of the content: To provide information on factors that increase the risk of developing dengue fever. Risk Factors

• Geographic location: Living in or traveling to tropical and subtropical regions increases the risk of exposure.
• Previous dengue infection: Having had dengue fever in the past elevates the risk of severe symptoms in subsequent infections.

Complications

A mosquito-borne viral illness. Purpose of the content: To provide information on the potential complications of dengue fever. Severe Dengue Fever Complications

• Internal bleeding and organ damage: Can lead to serious health consequences.
• Hypotension: A sudden drop in blood pressure can cause shock.
• Mortality: In severe cases, dengue fever can be fatal.

• Maternal-fetal transmission: Pregnant women with dengue fever may transmit the virus to their babies.
• Adverse pregnancy outcomes: Increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and fetal distress.

Prevention

A mosquito-borne viral illness. Purpose of the content: To provide information on preventive measures to reduce the risk of dengue fever. Dengue Fever Vaccine

• Availability: Vaccines are available for individuals aged 6–60 in certain regions.
• Requirements: Previous dengue fever infection and residence in endemic areas are typically required.
• US availability: The Dengvaxia vaccine is approved in the US for specific populations in endemic areas.

• Stay indoors: Avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours (dawn to dusk).
• Protective clothing: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.
• Insect repellent: Use DEET-containing repellents on exposed skin.
• Mosquito habitat reduction: Eliminate standing water sources to reduce mosquito breeding.

When to see a doctor

A mosquito-borne viral illness. Purpose of the content: To provide guidance on when to consult a doctor for suspected dengue fever. When to Seek Medical Attention

• Severe dengue fever: If you’ve recently traveled to a dengue-endemic area and experience severe symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
• Warning signs: Severe stomach pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or bleeding from the nose, gums, vomit, or stools are warning signs of severe dengue.
• Mild symptoms: If you’ve traveled recently and develop a fever with mild dengue symptoms, consult your doctor.