Dengue: The Fever That Could Kill You
Dengue fever (also known as breakbone fever) can cause high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, and vomiting. Dengue can be fatal, killing about 25,000 people yearly, even though there is no specific antiviral treatment for the disease; doctors simply treat the symptoms. If you live in or travel to areas where dengue fever cases have been reported, there are several things you can do to protect yourself from catching this potentially fatal illness.
2 Types of Dengue
Dengue is a tropical disease caused by 4 different viruses. Only two viruses, DENV-1, and DENV-2 cause dengue fever. The other two, DENV-3 and DENV-4, cause dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which can be deadly. While dengue fever can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for infected people, DHF is a much more severe disease that requires immediate treatment. Dengue has seen a rapid increase in cases globally in recent years; according to WHO figures, there were 390 million cases of dengue worldwide in 2010 (the latest year for which data is available). This was up from 173 million cases in 2000.
3 What are the Symptoms of Dengue?
Dengue is characterized by fever, muscle aches, and general discomfort. As with many illnesses, dengue doesn’t strike everyone in the same way; its symptoms vary from person to person. Some people exhibit mild flu-like symptoms, while others have an excruciating experience where every bone in their body aches. It can also be incredibly difficult to diagnose someone with dengue because it mimics so many other illnesses (like chikungunya or malaria). Dengue is also known for causing gastrointestinal distress (including vomiting) and generalized weakness which often seems like routine sicknesses but can be a harbinger of something worse if left unchecked.
4 How is it Transmitted?
Dengue is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected person and then infects another person by biting them. There are no other ways that humans can be infected by dengue, so if you're not being bitten by a dengue-carrying mosquito, you won't get sick with dengue. Prevent Dengue Fever Naturally If you live in areas where mosquitoes are abundant, there are precautions you can take to lower your risk of contracting dengue fever. Keep standing water to a minimum around your home and wear protective clothing while out in public (mosquitoes love dark colors). Additionally, consider taking anti-malarial medication to prevent infection during travel to areas where dengue fever is prevalent.
5 Prevention Tips
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease. There’s currently no vaccine, but there are steps you can take to prevent infection from occurring in areas where dengue fever is prevalent. It’s most common in Southeast Asia and South America, but travelers have also brought it back to Europe and Africa. Here are some helpful tips on avoiding getting infected while traveling abroad
6 Treatment Options
Dengue is a serious disease that’s sometimes fatal. Some estimate that about 20% of those infected develop a more severe form of dengue known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and properly. Patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever are hospitalized and given IV fluids to combat dehydration. If their platelet count drops below a certain level, they will also receive platelets through transfusion. Platelets boost blood clotting and help prevent bleeding under your skin or internally throughout your body.
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