Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted when bitten by an infected mosquito ( striped Aedes aegypti). The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons, incubation period 3-15 days before the signs and symptoms of dengue appear in stages Symptoms of Dengue Fever High grade fever with chills Severe headaches Pain behind the eyes Severe joint and muscle pain Nausea and Vomiting Skin rash, which appears three to four days after the onset of fever Mild bleeding (nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising) low heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure (hypotension). The eyes become reddened Lymph nodes of neck and groin are swollen Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever If any of the following warning signs appear rush IMMEDIATELY to an emergency room or the closest health care provider High Continuous Fever & Headache SoreThroat Cough Nausea persistent Vomiting & Severe Abdominal Pain.
Bleeding with Easy Bruising, blood spots in the skin (petechiae), Vomiting blood Black, tarry stools (feces, excrement) Drowsiness or irritability Pale, cold, or clammy skin Difficulty breathing Bleeding Gums, nosebleeds (epistaxis). Pneumonia is common Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may be present. A low platelet count The symptoms may progress to massive bleeding, shock occurs two to six days after the start of symptoms with sudden collapse, cool, clammy extremities (the trunk is often warm), weak pulse, and blueness around the mouth (circumoral cyanosis). This is called Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). People with weakened immune systems as well as those with a second or subsequent dengue infection are believed to be at greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever. Diagnosing Dengue Fever CBC or Complete Blood Count. The CBC shows evidence of increase PCV (Packed Cell Volume) and the total count as well as the platelets are depressed. NS-1 antigen-. If NS1 antigen test is positive, dengue is confirmed Even if the patient's NS1 test comes out negative, the possibility of dengue cant be ruled out. The patient needs subsequent follow up with repeated test of IgG, IgM. Dengue Serology or antibodies against Dengue virus. This test is done by serum and is a rapid Elisa test and shows positivity on day 2 to day 3.
Treatment for Dengue Fever Rest, Take anti-pyretic drug like paracetamol until temperature returns to normal Sponge your body with tepid water several times a day to lower the temperature Drinking a lot of fluids will help loosen mucus and to prevent dehydration. Drink water little by little for optimum benefit. Additionally, take clear soups, fruits juices or warm water often Antibiotics do not help in viral fever. Do not take it unless prescribed by a registered physician Rise in all the symptoms(2-4 days)- precedes a period with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day.- rapid rise in temperature with rash spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body except the face. The palms and soles may be bright red and swollen. Prevention of Dengue You can help prevent getting dengue fever by avoiding mosquito bites. Use screens on doors and windows. Repair broken or damaged screens quickly. Keep unscreened doors and windows shut. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks when you go outside. Use mosquito netting over your bed at night. Use an insect repellant as directed. Choose a repellant with DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Limit the amount of time you spend outside during the day, especially in the hours around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Patients are kept under mosquito netting until the second bout of fever is over and they are no longer contagious.
Places to be checked for the Aedes Unused toilet bowls and cisterns Aircon Tray and dish rack tray Concrete drains. Tree Holes, bamboo stumps Leaf axils, fallen leaves Ground Depressions Water filled Coolers (stagnant water) Few facts about Mr. Aedes aegypti The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a daytime biter with peak periods of biting around sunrise and sunset. Only the female mosquito feeds on blood. This is because they need the protein found in blood to produce eggs. Male mosquitoes feed only on plant nectar. The mosquito is attracted by the body odours, carbon dioxide and heat emitted from the animal or humans. The female Aedes mosquito searches for suitable places to lay their eggs
Signs of Recovery: Stable pulse, blood pressure and breathing rate Normal temperature No evidence of external or internal bleeding Return of appetite No vomiting Good urine output Stable haematocrit Convalescent confluent petechiae rash Keep body temperature below 39oC. Give the patient paracetamol (not more than four times in 24 hours) Differentiate Between Viral and Dengue Fevers. Viral Infection - Runny nose, throat pain, mild body ache, weakness Dengue- High-grade fever, severe body ache, joint pains and rashes (pinkish in colour) all over the body within 24 to 48 hours of the fever Do's and Don'ts Seek doctor's advice in time Sponge body with tepid water to reduce body temperature Antibiotics do not help in viral fever Do not take aspirin or combiflam in dengue