Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. This is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course.

Symptoms 

symptoms such as headache, fever, fatigue, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy) and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles. 

Types of Dengue Fever

There are three types of Dengue fever

a) Classical Dengue

b) Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)

c) Dengue shock syndrome

Classical dengue presents with fever, headache, backache with severe myalgia so it is also called “break bone fever”. Fever last for a week and some maculo papular rash can occur beginning from the trunk. Epistaxis and bleeding from Gums can also be a feature.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe form of viral disease.Dengue hemorrhagic fever is the start of complication and as the name suggests there is internal bleeding leading to fall in blood pressure and shock,Symptoms include headache, fever, rash, and evidence of bleeding in the body. Petechiae (small red or purple spots or blisters under the skin), bleeding nose or gums, platelet count is reduced and ultimately lead to shock causing Dengue shock syndrome.

Prevention

The only way to prevent dengue virus transmission is to combat the disease-carrying mosquitoes. The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease.

Treatment for Dengue Fever

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever.Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms .Rest and fluid intake for adequate hydration is important. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision because of the possibility of worsening hemorrhagic complications. Paracetamol may be given for severe headache and for the joint and muscle pain.As in other viral fever treatment here too is supportive which includes rest, plenty of fluid and close observation. If during observation any sort of bleeding is noticed from gums, nose or under skin or black stool or if the skin is cold and clammy, immediate platelet count should be done and patient should be admitted.

Blood transfusion and Fresh frozen plasma or sometimes Platelet transfusion is required.