Dengue facts
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July 10, 2017
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Rainy season is a season that refreshes life by providing much needed hydration but there are some flipsides as well, example infections like dengue. Dengue is a fever caused by virus (Aedes aegypti) transmitted through mosquito. The mosquito carrying dengue can’t fly beyond 200 m from its breeding site. In normal circumstances, dengue is not a very serious condition but if server it is potentially life threatening. All dengue infections do not lead to dengue illness. About 390 million patients are infected every year but about 96 million develop illness.
Here is the classical dengue symptom scenario. The symptoms develop suddenly; there is fever for 3 to 7 days; there is body pain and weakness; headache; diminished hunger; vomiting and loose stools; skin rashes; and in severe cases bleeding from gums and nose.
How to differentiate dengue from normal fever? There is weakness in normal fever as well, but in dengue it is fatigue with body ache and you feel like taking rest even after small amount of activity. Headache in dengue is moderate to severe and there is pain in eye sockets. Fever lasts longer when compared to flu. Most important one, decreased platelet count on blood test and presence of dengue virus antigens in blood.
Dengue is treated like normal flu and body pain but close watch on platelet levels and worsening of symptoms is important. Avoid aspirin and other drugs which increase bleeding tendency. Take rest, drink plenty of fluids, and see your doctor. Most importantly, take protection against mosquitoes by using repellents and nets. One last point, in any fever of dengue season, do not ignore or do not self medicate, take doctor’s advice promptly.
Developed by Scientific Angle brought to you by Health Meter Services
Disclaimer: Don’t follow any suggestions in this article without consulting a qualified doctor
Sources:
1. WebMD. Dengue fever. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dengue-fever-reference#2,
2. South Africa Health. Dengue fever. http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases/dengue+fever/dengue+fever+-+including+symptoms+treatment+and+prevention,
3. Difference between Influenza And Dengue Fever Symptoms. https://health.onehowto.com/article/difference-between-influenza-and-dengue-fever-symptoms-8143.