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Thousands of people are affected by this mosquito-borne viral disease and are admitted to hospitals for immediate treatment. But what most people might not know is that dengue can be lethal and life-threatening.
Dengue fever is also known as breakbone fever which results from a mosquito-borne viral infection. It can often lead to severe symptoms in some extreme cases. Four different viruses can cause dengue fever and that is the sole reason why a person can get infected by the virus 4 times.
Symptoms of Mild Dengue
Nausea, vomiting
Skin Rash
Aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain)
Symptoms of dengue typically last 2–7 days. Normally, most people tend to recover after about a week but the weakness stays far longer than that. However, the same cannot be said for severe or extreme cases where people are unfortunately hospitalized to get better medical help and attention.
Symptoms of Severe Dengue
Severe dengue symptoms include-
abdominal pain or tenderness
vomiting
bleeding from the nose or gums
vomiting blood
blood in the stool
Signs of fatigue
feeling restless or irritable
changes in temperatureTrusted Source from very hot to very cold
cold, clammy skin
a weak and rapid pulse
a reduced difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue. Warning signs usually begin 24–48 hours after one’s fever has gone away. One should immediately rush to a local clinic or hospital if they have any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Patients with severe symptoms of dengue must get proper and timely medical attention.
Causes of Dengue
There are precisely four viruses that can cause dengue fever. They are all transmitted by either the Aedes aegypti mosquito or the Aedes albopictus mosquito. These species of mosquitoes live in tropical and subtropical areas around the world since they are only able to sustain their living conditions in such temperatures. The rates of infections shoot up in India, especially during and after the monsoon season.
The transmission of the dengue virus can happen through several different mediums, which are transmitted through a mosquito bite, human-to-mosquito transmission, maternal transmission and other methods via blood transfusion or organ donation.
A person can have dengue fever more than once in their lifetime since four different viruses can spread dengue. They will become immune to the specific virus that caused them dengue, but they won’t be immune to the other three viruses which can cause the same illness. Studies have also shown that the virus is more lethal for those who have already been in contact with it once in their lives before getting infected twice.
Tips For Protection
Since many cases are being registered for dengue in our country, it is better to be safe than sorry. Here are some tips that can prevent you from being infected with the dengue virus.
1. Wearing clothes that cover the entire body
2. Using mosquito repellents on the body
3. Using mosquito nets while sleeping at night
4. Using windows and door screens
5. Avoid being outside at dawn, dusk, and early evening to avoid getting bit.
6. Removing any stagnant water around the home and avoid camping near still water
7. Checking that drains, plant pots, and other features are not collecting water
Treatment of Dengue
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Patients should rest, stay hydrated and seek medical advice for the same. Depending on the clinical manifestations and other circumstances, patients are either sent home, referred for in-hospital management, or require emergency treatment and urgent referral. Medicines such as fever reducers and painkillers can be taken to control and reduce the symptoms of muscle aches and pains, and fever.
1. The best options to treat these symptoms are medicines- acetaminophen or paracetamol.
2. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin should be avoided because these anti-inflammatory drugs thin the blood, and in a disease with a risk of haemorrhage, blood thinners may exacerbate the prognosis.
Conclusion
Dengue virus is a devastating disease in India and the cases are rising every day. Delhi, its national capital, recorded its first death from this virus on 3 November 2022. Therefore, one should be careful and use the tips suggested above to stay unaffected by the dengue virus.
Written by Chitra Gangwani
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