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Nov 2, 2017 · Dr. Scott Halstead has insisted for decades that dengue antibodies were responsible when people who’ve had the virus develop severe — and sometimes fatal — infections the second time around.
- Overview
- Dengue fever symptoms
- Diagnosing dengue fever
- Treating dengue fever
- Complications of dengue fever
- How to prevent dengue fever
Dengue fever is a disease caused by four dengue viruses spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Once you contract one of the dengue viruses, you develop immunity to that virus for the rest of your life. However, you can still contract the other three viruses, so it’s possible to get all four dengue viruses in your lifetime. The viruses that cause dengue fever are related to those that cause yellow fever and West Nile virus infection.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 400 million cases of dengue fever occur across the globe every year. Tropical regions are heavily affected. Areas that have the greatest risk of infection include:
•Sub-Saharan Africa
•Central America
•Mexico
If you develop dengue fever, symptoms usually begin about 4 to 10 days after the initial infection. In many cases, symptoms will be mild. They may be mistaken for symptoms of the flu or another infection.
Young children and people who’ve never experienced infection may have a milder illness than older children and adults. Common symptoms generally last for 2 to 7 days and can include:
•sudden, high fever (up to 106°F or 41°C)
•severe headache
•swollen lymph glands
•severe joint and muscle pains
Virological test
This test directly tests for elements of the virus. This type of testing often requires specialized equipment and a staff that’s technically trained, so this type of testing may not be available in all medical facilities.
Serological test
This test detects antibodies in the blood to confirm a current or recent infection. If you experience dengue symptoms after traveling outside the country, you should see a healthcare professional to check whether you have the virus.
There’s no medication or treatment specifically made for dengue infection.
If you believe you may have dengue, you should use over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce your fever, headache, and joint pain. However, you should avoid aspirin and ibuprofen, as they can cause more bleeding.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever
The risk factors for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever include having antibodies to dengue virus from a previous infection and a weakened immune system. This rare form of the disease is characterized by: •high fever •damage to the lymphatic system •damage to blood vessels •bleeding from the nose •bleeding under the skin •internal bleeding •bleeding from the gums •liver enlargement •circulatory system failure The symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever can trigger dengue shock syndrome, which is also characterized by low blood pressure, weak pulse, cold, clammy skin, and restlessness. Dengue shock syndrome is severe and can lead to excessive bleeding and even death.
There’s now a new dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019. It’s available in some countries and requires three doses spread 6 months apart.
The best method of protection is to avoid mosquito bites and to reduce the mosquito population. When in a high risk area, you should do the following:
•Avoid heavily populated residential areas.
•Use mosquito repellent indoors and outdoors.
•Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants tucked into socks.
•Use air conditioning instead of opening windows.
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People also ask
Is dengue a major cause of death?
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What is severe dengue?
May 14, 2024 · Key points. 1 in 4: About one in four people infected with dengue will get sick. For people who get sick with dengue, symptoms can be mild or severe. Severe dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and often requires care at a hospital. Symptoms. The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following:
Oct 5, 2022 · Mild dengue fever causes a high fever and flu-like symptoms. The severe form of dengue fever, also called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause serious bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock) and death.
Apr 30, 2020 · Background. Dengue is endemic in most parts of the tropics with a significant mortality of 1–5%. Although individual case reports and case series have been published, large-scale case controls studies are few. The objective of this study was to find clinical and laboratory predictors of mortality in dengue. Methods.
- Arjuna Medagama, Chamara Dalugama, Gukes Meiyalakan, Darshani Lakmali
- 2020
Dengue is a viral illness that is spread by mosquitoes. It's also called dengue fever. There are mild and moderate to severe forms of dengue. The mild form is most common. The severe form is called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Without treatment, DHF may cause death.
This can greatly cut the risk of death. What are the complications of dengue fever? Severe dengue fever can be fatal if not treated right away. Other effects of severe dengue are: Severe bleeding; Breathing problems; Organ damage; How can dengue fever be prevented? There is no widely used or FDA-approved vaccine for dengue fever. Travelers ...
