What is Dengue?
Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, primarily the Aedes aegypti species. The virus has four different serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), meaning a person can be infected up to four times in their lifetime. Dengue is common in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.
Signs and Symptoms of Dengue
The signs and symptoms of dengue can vary, ranging from mild to severe. They usually appear 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The symptoms are often mistaken for those of other illnesses, such as the flu, which can make diagnosis challenging. The main symptoms include:
- High Fever: Sudden onset of high fever, often reaching up to 104°F (40°C).
- Severe Headache: Intense pain, particularly around the forehead.
- Pain Behind the Eyes: Deep pain behind the eyes, which worsens with eye movement.
- Joint and Muscle Pain: Severe pain in the joints and muscles, often referred to as "breakbone fever" due to the intensity of the discomfort.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Feeling of nausea, with or without vomiting.
- Skin Rash: A rash that may appear a few days after the fever starts. It can cause the skin to look blotchy or red.
- Fatigue: Extreme tiredness and weakness that can last for weeks.
- Mild Bleeding: Signs of bleeding, such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or easy bruising.
Dengue Prevention Tips:
- Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent
- Wearing long sleeves and sleeping under mosquito nets.
- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water in containers, cleaning gutters, and covering water storage.
- Community efforts like clean-up campaigns and using insecticides can also help reduce mosquito populations.
- Take extra precautions when traveling to dengue-prone areas.