Dengue fever

Can Dengue Cause Death? Understanding The Severe Risks Of Dengue Fever

Understanding the warning signs and complications is crucial to prevent fatalities, particularly during dengue outbreaks.
Flood Borne Diseases: Symptoms To Watch Out For

Flood water causes two main types of diseases namely food and water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and leptospirosis, and insect-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever. Watch out for the symptoms.

What is it?

Dengue fever: It is an acute viral disease which spreads through mosquitos

Dengue fever is an acute infectious viral disease, caused by all four types of dengue virus 1, 2, 3 and 4. It is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti found in tropical and subtropical regions.

What are the causes?

Dengue fever: Dengue can be painful and debilitating

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease which is painful and debilitating. It spreads through the bite of Aedes mosquito. This mosquito carries the dengue virus which can get transmitted to a human's blood through a bite. Dengue fever is communicable and can spread from person to person.

What are the symptoms?

Fever, with a sudden onset, often rising to 40-40.5 degrees centigrade.Rash, which shows up 3-4 days after the start of the symptoms, starting from the trunk region and spreading to the face, arms and legs.Muscle aches (myalgia).Joint aches (arthralgia).Headache.

What are the risk factors?

Dengue has become the most notable mosquito-borne disease of the 1990s. Each year tens of millions of people are affected by the disease. About 2.5 billion people live in areas that are at risk of an epidemic transmission.The highest incidence of dengue is in Southeast Asia, India and the American tropics where Aedes aegypti can be found. Outbreaks are more common in tropical countries. Factors like overcrowding, open water storage and irrigation canals provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

How is the diagnosis made?

Total white blood cells count: In case of dengue, this test will reveal less than normal number of leukocytes (4000-10,000/cm) or white blood cells in the blood.Thrombocytopoenia: Total platelets count in the blood may be very low in dengue fever.Serum tests measure the antibody produced against dengue virus.

What is the treatment?

Treatment is only supportive in case of dengue fever, which means rest, plenty of fluids and acetaminophen to keep the temperature down. Hospitalisation may be required in severe cases to monitor the platelet count. If platelet count falls below a critical level (40,000/cm), it may be necessary to transfuse fresh blood or platelet rich plasma (PRP).

What are the prevention?

Personal protection against mosquito bites should be done by using mosquito repellents, netting and wearing clothes that cover the body while going out. Care should be taken to see that there are no stagnating water bodies around the living areas and the surroundings are kept clean.

What are the complications?

Dengue fever can have debilitating effects on the patient. Besides mmense pain, dengue fever can result in dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. These complications of dengue fever can result in the following symptoms.