Dengue fever: Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

 

Dengue fever

Dengue fever:

Dengue fever is a viral fever. The virus is known as a dengue virus and is transmitted by a mosquito called Aedes aegypti. Dengue fever can be caused by any one of the four types of Aedes mosquito-borne viruses. If a person is bitten by a mosquito carrying dengue fever, that person gets dengue fever in 4 to 6 days. After this, if an infected person is bitten by a virus-free Aedes mosquito, that mosquito also becomes a dengue-carrying mosquito. In this way, dengue is spread from one person to another through mosquitoes. There is still no cure for this viral disease. It is treated with treatment according to the symptoms. Like any other viral fever, it goes away on its own within seven days.

Types of dengue fever:

There are two main types of dengue fever:

•  Classical dengue fever, and
•  Hemorrhagic dengue fever

Among them, dengue hemorrhagic fever is very serious.

 

When and who gets dengue fever:

Outbreaks of dengue fever are high from May to September, especially during hot and rainy seasons. This fever usually does not occur in winter. In winter the larvae can survive for many days. At the beginning of the monsoon, new dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes spread from them.

          The prevalence is higher in urban areas, elite areas, large buildings, so dengue fever is also more prevalent in the area. People living in slums or villages have less dengue. There are four types of dengue virus. So dengue fever can be four times. However, for those who have been infected with dengue fever before, there is a risk that it will be fatal if the disease develops later. It is more common in children.

Symptoms of dengue fever:

• Classical dengue fever is usually accompanied by high fever and severe pain in the body. The fever is up to 105⁰ Fahrenheit. 
• There is severe pain in the body, especially in the bones, waist, back, joints, and muscles. In addition, there is a headache and pain behind the eyes. Many times the pain is so intense that it feels like a broken bone. So another name for this fever is 'Break Bone Fever'. 
• During four or five days of fever, a red rash appears all over the body. This is called skin rash, a lot like allergies or itching. 
• Nausea even can cause vomiting.
• The patient becomes excessively tired and loses appetite. 
• In some patients, the fever returns after two or three days. This is called 'biphasic fever'. 

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is the most complicated. In addition to the signs and symptoms of classical dengue fever, there are other symptoms with this fever:

• Bleeding starts from different parts of the body. Such as: under the skin, through the nose and mouth, from the gums and teeth, with phlegm, vomiting blood, fresh blood with stools or black stools, blood in and out of the eyes. In case of untimely menstruation or bleeding in girls, bleeding may continue for a long time. 
• Symptoms of this disease can often be the presence of water in the chest, stomach, etc. Complications of jaundice, kidney failure, and renal failure can occur in many cases due to liver infection.

Dengue shock syndrome is a terrible form of dengue fever. Dengue shock syndrome is caused by a circulatory failure with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Symptoms include: 

• A sudden drop in blood pressure.
• The pulse is very weak and fast.
• The limbs and other parts of the body become cold.
• Decreased urination.
• Suddenly the patient may lose consciousness.
• It can even lead to death.

 

When to see a doctor:

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. However, this fever usually gets better on its own. So general treatment according to the symptoms are enough. However, in some cases, it is better to consult a doctor. Such as:

• If there is bleeding in any part of the body
• When platelet levels decrease
• In fact, if you have difficulty breathing or bloating
• If the amount of urine decreases
• If jaundice occurs
• In case of excessive fatigue or weakness
• In case of severe abdominal pain or vomiting.

 

 Diagnosis of dengue fever:

The tests required to diagnose dengue fever are as follows:

• Four to five days after the fever, CBC and platelets are enough. If you do it before, the report is normal and many may be confused. If the platelet count is less than one lakh, the next step should be taken keeping in mind of the dengue virus.
• Dengue antibody tests can be done after five to six days. Although this test helps in diagnosing the disease, it has no role in the treatment of the disease. There is no problem without doing this test. It is just a waste of money.
• If necessary, blood sugar, liver tests such as SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, etc. can be done.
• If the doctor thinks that the patient is suffering from DIC type complication, then he can test for prothrombin time, APTT, D-dimer, etc.

 

Treatment of dengue fever:

Most patients with dengue fever usually recover on their own within five to 10 days. Even without any treatment. However, the patient must follow the doctor's advice. So that there are no serious complications due to dengue. Dengue fever is actually a confusing disease, usually treated with symptoms.

• You have to rest until you are completely well.
• An adequate amount of water, sherbet, coconut water, and other liquid foods should be taken.
• If you can't eat, saline can be given intravenously if needed.
• Paracetamol-type pain medications alone are sufficient to reduce fever. Aspirin or diclofenac-type pain medications should not be taken under any circumstances. This will increase the risk of bleeding.
• Wipe the body with a wet cloth to reduce the fever.

 

Dengue fever prevention:

The key to preventing dengue fever is to prevent the spread of Aedes mosquitoes and to prevent them from biting. Remember, Aedes is a polite mosquito, they live in elite areas, big, beautiful buildings. They lay their eggs in clear water. They do not like dirty smelly drain water. Therefore, in order to prevent dengue, the places suitable for laying eggs of Aedes mosquitoes should be kept clean and at the same time, necessary steps should be taken to kill the mosquitoes.

• Shrubs, jungles, water bodies, etc. around the house should be kept clean and tidy.
• Since Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in objects where clear water accumulates. So vases, unused containers, coconut shells, discarded tires, etc. should be removed.
• Water stored in the bathroom or anywhere in the house should not remain for more than five days. Water should not accumulate under the aquarium, fridge, or air conditioner.
• Aedes mosquitoes usually bite in the morning and evening. However, it can bite at any other time. So during the day, the body should be well covered with cloth if necessary mosquito repellent can be used. The net should be kept on the doors and windows of the house.
• During the day you should sleep with a mosquito net or a coil.
• Children who go to school should be sent to school wearing full pants instead of shorts.
• Mosquito repellent sprays, coils, mats should be used along with mosquito nets day and night to avoid mosquito bites.
• Dengue patients must be kept under mosquito nets at all times so that no mosquito bites.