Dengue

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Dengue

 

 

Dengue [DEN-ghee] is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of infected

mosquitoes. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of

dengue.

Dengue occurs in most tropical areas of the world. Most U.S. cases occur in

travelers returning from abroad, but the dengue risk is increasing for persons

living along the Texas-Mexico border and in other parts of the southern United

States.

There is no specific treatment for dengue.

Prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites in areas where dengue occurs or

might occur and eliminating breeding sites.

 

What is dengue fever? What is dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue

fever.

 

What is the infectious agent that causes dengue?

Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the dengue family of

viruses. Infection with one virus does not protect a person against infection

with another.

 

How is dengue spread?

Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the

disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else.

 

Where is dengue found?

Dengue viruses occur in most tropical areas of the world. Dengue is common in

Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Australia, and the Americas. It is widespread in the

Caribbean basin. Dengue is most common in cities but can be found in rural

areas. It is rarely found in mountainous areas above 4,000 feet.

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue live among humans and breed in discarded

tires, flower pots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human

dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite

during the day.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache,

pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain

has given dengue the name " breakbone fever. " Nausea, vomiting, and loss of

appetite are common. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the

fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as

long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young

children.

Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can

progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever. With dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood

vessels start to leak and cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums.

Bruising can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. Without prompt treatment,

the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock (dengue shock syndrome). Dengue

hemorrhagic fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, mostly among children

and young adults.

 

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying dengue virus and the start of

symptoms averages 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14 days. An infected person

cannot spread the infection to other persons but can be a source of dengue virus

for mosquitoes for about 6 days.

 

How is dengue diagnosed?

Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test.

 

Who is at risk for dengue?

Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get dengue fever. Risk

factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age and immune status,

as well as the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected

with one or more types of dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for

developing dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.

 

What is the treatment for dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

There is no specific treatment for dengue. Persons with dengue fever should

rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for

the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by replacing lost

fluids. Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.

 

How common is dengue?

In tropical countries around the world, dengue is one of the most common viral

diseases spread to humans by mosquitoes. Tens of millions of cases of dengue

fever and up to hundreds of thousands of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever occur

each year.

In the United States, approximately 100 cases of dengue are reported each year

in travelers returning from tropical areas. Many more cases probably go

unreported. A few persons have become infected with dengue while living in the

United States. Aedes mosquitoes are found in Texas, Florida, and other southern

states, and locally acquired dengue has been reported three times since 1980 in

southern Texas.

 

Is dengue an emerging infectious disease?

Yes. All types of dengue virus are re-emerging worldwide and causing larger

and more frequent epidemics, especially in cities in the tropics. The emergence

of dengue as a major public health problem has been most dramatic in the western

hemisphere. Dengue fever has reached epidemic levels in Central America and is

threatening the United States.

Several factors are contributing to the resurgence of dengue fever:

 

No effective mosquito control efforts are underway in most countries with

dengue.

Public health systems to detect and control epidemics are deteriorating

around the world.

Rapid growth of cities in tropical countries has led to overcrowding, urban

decay, and substandard sanitation, allowing more mosquitoes to live closer to

more people.

The increase in non-biodegradable plastic packaging and discarded tires is

creating new breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Increased jet air travel is helping people infected with dengue viruses to

move easily from city to city.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also on the rise. Persons who have been infected

with one or more forms of dengue virus are at greater risk for the more severe

disease. With the increase in all types of virus, the occurrence of dengue

hemorrhagic fever becomes more likely.

 

How can dengue be prevented?

There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. Prevention centers on avoiding mosquito

bites when traveling to areas where dengue occurs and when in U.S. areas,

especially along the Texas-Mexico border, where dengue might occur. Eliminating

mosquito breeding sites in these areas is another key prevention measure.

Avoid mosquito bites when traveling in tropical areas:

 

Use mosquito repellents on skin and clothing.

When outdoors during times that mosquitoes are biting, wear long-sleeved

shirts and long pants tucked into socks.

Avoid heavily populated residential areas.

When indoors, stay in air-conditioned or screened areas. Use bednets if

sleeping areas are not screened or air-conditioned.

If you have symptoms of dengue, report your travel history to your doctor.

Eliminate mosquito breeding sites in areas where dengue might occur:

 

Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around homes. Discard items that can

collect rain or run-off water, especially old tires.

Regularly change the water in outdoor bird baths and pet and animal water

containers.

http://www.dhpe.org/infect/dengue.html

 

 

" Respect means listening until everyone has been heard and understood, only

then is there a possibility of " Balance and Harmony " the goal of Indian

Spirituality. " Dave Chief, Grandfather of Red Dog