Dengue fever cause clinical features complications treatment and prevention

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The virus spreads from one person to another through mosquitoes, which act as carriers.

The disease varies in severity from mild febrile illness to severe hemorrhagic Dengue which may be fatal.

Symptoms and signs: Fever starts usually within one week of getting infected with the virus. Other symptoms are chills, pain behind eyes and severe pain in limbs. Nausea and vomiting can also occur. About fifty percent of patients have a rash which may be slightly elevated above the surface of the skin.

Bluish spots may appear on the skin due to bleeding from the small blood vessels of the skin. Occasionally bleeding from the nose (epistaxis) and gums and occur.

Blood may also be detected in urine and stool by microscopic examination. The illness usually lasts for a week.

Laboratory investigations: the white blood cells are usually decreased. The number of platelets may also be reduced. Marked decrease in the number of platelets can predispose to severe bleeding and this can be quite serious.

The virus may be cultured from blood in the early stage of the disease. Specific antibodies may be demonstrated usually after 5 days.

Complications: Rarely the virus can affect the brain (encephalitis) or liver. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a serious complication in which there is widespread bleeding leading to shock, as a result of very low platelet count. This condition is potentially fatal.

Treatment: There is no specific treatment. Adequate hydration should be maintained by giving plenty of oral fluids. Drugs to reduce fever and pain (analgesics and antipyretics) are given but those drugs which affect platelet function (like aspirin) should not be given.

Those with markedly reduced platelet count may need transfusion of platelets.

Prevention: As the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes measures to avoid mosquito bits help in prevention.

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