What is Dengue Fever? Know it’s Symptoms, Reasons, and treatment

Introduction

Dengue fever is a common viral fever caused by the bite of a mosquito named Aedes Aegypti. The mosquito carrying any one of the four viruses can cause dengue fever. Dengue is considered to be in the most flow between the monsoon months of July to October. The mosquito usually bites during the daytime.

When any Aedes aegypti mosquito bites a person suffering from the dengue virus, the blood of the person transmits into the mosquito. In the same manner, as soon as the mosquito bites another person the virus comes out of its body and goes into the other person’s body. This cycle continues hence a lot of people get affected by it.

The symptoms of the fever can be seen after the span of 4 to 5 days. Most cases of this fever can be found around places where there are hotspots such as standing water. These mosquitoes prefer to lay eggs near water source which has not moved for a long time. Dengue fever is also commonly called break bone fever. Now, after being acquainted with what is dengue, let us move on to the next sections.

Dengue symptoms

As we stated earlier, the first few symptoms of dengue are like flu only and begin to show after four to ten days subsequent to the mosquito bite. Dengue fever is classified into three types: classic dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome. Out of which dengue haemorrhagic fever is considered to be the most fatal and life-threatening.

Starting symptoms of dengue can include high fever up to 104 degrees with chills, severe body, and joint aches, concentrated pain behind the eyes, fatigue, nausea, rashes, and vomiting. The patient suffering from dengue fever usually recovers within five days but the situation can worsen if not provided the right treatment.

The symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever include extreme restlessness, increased number of vomits, severe abdominal pain, and blood in the stool or vomit. These symptoms are usually seen one to two days after the fever fades away. One must consult health personnel under such conditions as this type of dengue can be life-threatening.

Dengue Preventions

Dengue is a dangerous disease but it can be prevented if taken proper care beforehand. The first and foremost prevention step is to close the entrance gate for the Aedes mosquitoes. This can be done by taking simple steps such as not keeping any water stagnant at any point in time. Any spots that may become the hotspot for the Aedes mosquitoes should be cleaned frequently. A few areas that you can keep a check on are the cooler, small containers, pots, and even buckets.

Another important thing to take care of is to safeguard yourself by performing safety measures. Aerosol can be used during the daytime to put off any mosquito bites. You can also use mosquito nets or types of equipment at night to keep the dangerous mosquitoes at bay. Apart from these dengue preventions, one must also wear clothes that cover all the body parts, especially hands and legs where the mosquitoes tend to attack the most.

Dengue Treatment

A usual classic dengue patient can be treated well at home itself. The first-hand medication is only of supportive and symptomatic nature so it can be given to the patient for the required period. There is no such antibiotic or antiviral remedy available for the treatment of dengue hence it is not preventable until taken proper care.

Another factor to take care of is the fluid content going into the body. Try and incorporate a large number of fluids in the form of juices, soups, and water. Fruits also play an important role in giving the body its power back during the recovery process. There is no such medicine to stop or treat the fever so pain relievers can be used.

The platelets of the patient should be monitored very carefully at set periods and if the medications are not working the patient should be immediately transferred to the hospital. Remember, dengue haemorrhage is a serious stage and can be fatal so immediate medical attention should be provided. Dengue fever relentlessly affects the bone marrow, and white blood cells of the tolerant, making the recovery process slow.

Conclusion

Dengue is a common widespread disease and often gets better within a few days with proper dengue treatment. Make sure to follow all the preventive measures to not fall ill and stop your area from becoming a dengue hotspot. One should take proper medication and seek medical attention if contracted.