In our country, dengue is a disease that is often talked about and makes the body a little itchy. Especially during the rainy season, even if you get a slight fever, the fear that comes to mind is "Oh, I don't know if it's dengue." We all know that it is spread by mosquitoes. So, today we will talk clearly and simply about what exactly dengue fever is, how we can be careful of it, and what to do if we get it. There is nothing to be afraid of, let's be aware!
What is Dengue Fever?
Simply put, dengue fever is a disease that can be contracted when you are bitten by a mosquito carrying one of the four types of dengue virus (DENV). This virus is most common in countries with warm, humid climates. That means it is common in areas like Central and South America, Africa, some countries in Asia (including our own Sri Lanka!) and the Pacific Islands.
The important thing is that dengue fever is not transmitted directly from one person to another. Unlike the common cold, however, if a pregnant mother gets dengue, it can be passed on to her baby. Most of the time, if you get dengue for the first time, the symptoms will not be too severe. However, if you get it again with a different type of dengue virus ``(DENV)``, the risk of serious complications is higher.
Who is most affected by dengue fever?
In Sri Lanka, we live in a region where dengue is common. So, those who live in such areas and those who travel to them are at the highest risk of contracting dengue. It is said that more than half of the world's population faces this risk. Especially young children and the elderly are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract dengue.
According to the World Health Organization, about 400 million people get dengue every year. But surprisingly, about 80% of these people do not develop any symptoms.
Is there immunity to dengue fever?
Yes, once you get a dengue virus, your body develops immunity against that type. This means that the chances of getting sick with the same type of dengue virus again are very low. However, there is a bit of a complicated story here. Because, there are at least four types of dengue virus ``(DENV)``.
Think of it this way: our immune system is like a very efficient defense army. When we get sick, this army creates special weapons (we call them antibodies) to fight that disease. These antibodies are like keys, they are made to match only the virus in question. So, if that virus comes back, these antibodies will catch it and destroy it.
Now, when you get one type of dengue virus, you make antibodies that are right for it. But, if you get infected with a different type of dengue virus later, those old antibodies don't match the new virus exactly. At this point, the new virus takes advantage of this mismatch. This is called ``antibody-dependent enhancement''. Simply put, even though the old antibody catches the new virus, instead of destroying it, it helps the virus to infiltrate the body's cells. It's like a thief entering the body like a stranger. Because of this, the virus can spread more easily in the body and cause more severe illness.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
We have said that most of the time, dengue fever does not cause symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, these are the ones that are usually seen:
- High fever (around 40 degrees Celsius / 104 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Red skin rash
- Severe pain under the eyes
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe pain in muscles, bones, and joints (this is why some people call it "breakbone fever")
Dengue symptoms usually begin to appear between 4 and 10 days after the mosquito bite and can last between 3 and 7 days. About one in every twenty people who develop dengue will develop severe dengue as the initial symptoms subside.
Severe Dengue or Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
This is the most dangerous stage of dengue fever. This is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening. The warning signs of severe dengue usually appear 24 to 48 hours after your fever has subsided.
If you have dengue, or if you live in an area where dengue is common, and you develop any of the following symptoms, go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately. This is very important!
- Severe stomach pain
- Frequent vomiting
- Vomiting blood or passing blood in the stool
- Nosebleeds or bleeding gums
- Excessive tiredness, restlessness, or irritability
What causes dengue fever?
Dengue fever is caused by one of the four types of dengue virus that we mentioned earlier. When a mosquito carrying the dengue virus bites you, the virus enters your bloodstream and begins to multiply (make copies) there. It is this virus and your body's immune system's response to it that makes you feel sick.
Sometimes, this virus can destroy the cells that help your blood clot (platelets), and damage your blood vessels. Along with this, certain chemicals produced by your immune system can cause blood to leak out of your blood vessels. This can lead to internal bleeding, which is the life-threatening symptom of severe dengue.
How does dengue fever spread?
Dengue fever is spread by Aedes mosquitoes . These mosquitoes also spread other viruses like Zika and Chikungunya. Here's what happens: A mosquito bites someone who has dengue fever. Then, when that mosquito bites someone else, the virus passes on to that new person.
Is dengue fever contagious?
As mentioned earlier, dengue fever is not transmitted directly from one person to another. That is, it is not transmitted through touching or talking like a cold. The only way is if a pregnant mother contracts dengue and passes it on to her baby. This can happen either during pregnancy or during childbirth.
How to diagnose dengue fever?
The only way to know for sure if you have dengue fever is to have a blood test . Your doctor will take a sample of your blood from a vein and send it to a lab to check for signs of the dengue virus. This can sometimes tell which of the four types of dengue virus you have. It can also check for other viruses that cause similar symptoms.
How is dengue fever treated?
There is no specific cure for dengue fever yet. That means there is no medicine that can kill the virus. Your doctor will advise you on how to manage your symptoms and when to go to the hospital.
How to control dengue symptoms?
The only treatment for dengue fever is to control the symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. These may include:
- Drink plenty of water and fluids. It's very important to stay hydrated. Drinking things like Jeevani is also good.
- Get as much rest as possible. Don't strain your body.
- Use only acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®, Panadol) for pain.
Warning: Do not take painkillers like ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®) or aspirin for any reason! Using these can increase the risk of internal bleeding. This is very dangerous.
What can you do to protect yourself from dengue fever?
The best way to protect yourself from dengue fever is to protect yourself from mosquitoes. There are several things you can do to help:
- Use Mosquito Repellents. Using an EPA-approved repellent that contains 20% to 30% DEET can help protect against Aedes mosquitoes.
- Wear clothing that covers your body when outdoors, especially at night (when mosquitoes are most common).
- Eliminate standing water. Remove water from buckets, barrels, old tires, birdbaths, etc. Fill in any holes that can collect water. These are places where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
- To stop mosquitoes from entering your home, install screens on windows and doors, and repair any holes. If possible, keep windows and doors closed.
- Use a mosquito net when sleeping at night in dengue-prone areas.
- If you are pregnant, avoid traveling to dengue-prone areas as much as possible.
- If you are going on a trip somewhere, check with organizations like the CDC (Center for Disease Control) before you go to see if there are any outbreaks of disease in that area.
There are two vaccines for dengue (in the United States, there is only one). These are usually recommended for children who live in areas where dengue is common. However, adults who are at higher risk of getting dengue can sometimes get this vaccine. Talk to your doctor about this.
What can you expect if you develop dengue fever?
Most dengue infections have no symptoms or are very mild. However, sometimes they can become severe and require immediate medical attention.
The initial symptoms of dengue fever can last from three to seven days. Most people recover after that. However, some develop severe, life-threatening dengue fever and require hospitalization.
Most people recover from dengue fever without any long-term complications. If you develop dengue symptoms, there is only a 1 in 20 chance that it will turn into severe dengue. If you develop severe dengue and seek immediate treatment at a hospital or medical center, your chance of recovery is more than 99%.
Complications of dengue fever during pregnancy
If you get dengue fever while you are pregnant, it can cause miscarriage, low birth weight, or premature birth . Therefore, taking steps to protect yourself and your baby from dengue during pregnancy is very important for your safety.
How many times can dengue fever be contracted?
Yes. Because there are at least four types of dengue virus, you can get dengue more than once.
Usually, your body develops immunity to the type of virus you get first, so you are unlikely to get sick with that type again. However, you can get sick with one of the other three types of viruses later on. In fact, if you get dengue more than once, you are more likely to get seriously ill. This is important to remember.
If I have had dengue before, how can I take care of myself?
If you have had dengue before, you are at higher risk of getting seriously ill if you are infected with a different strain of the virus in the future. So, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated. Also, take extra steps to protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially if you live in an area where dengue is common.
When should I see a doctor?
If you live in an area where dengue is common, or have recently traveled to one, and you develop any symptoms of dengue, see your doctor immediately. He/she will advise you on how to take care of yourself and when to seek additional treatment.
When should I go to the Emergency Department (ETU) ?
If you have any of the warning signs of severe dengue (e.g., severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, extreme fatigue), go to the nearest emergency room immediately, even if your initial symptoms have subsided. Severe dengue can become life-threatening very quickly. Do not take this lightly.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
- Can I get the dengue vaccine?
- What medications can I take for my symptoms?
- What symptoms should I go to the emergency room for?
Is dengue more dangerous than malaria?
No. Although the mortality rate from both diseases is low, malaria is more deadly than dengue on a global scale.
Worldwide, about 40,000 people die from dengue fever out of about 400 million cases each year (that's about 0.01%). However, about 627,000 people die from malaria out of about 271 million cases (that's about 0.3%).
But remember, the severity of any disease varies in different parts of the world. Children in Africa are at higher risk of dying from malaria, and people in Asia are more affected by dengue.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Millions of people get dengue fever every year. Most of the time it's mild, and sometimes there are no symptoms at all. But it's normal to feel scared when you think about severe dengue fever. There's even a story that the word "dengue" comes from the name of an evil spirit believed to be the cause of the disease.
But, the good news is that you can protect yourself from mosquitoes and be aware of the warning signs of severe dengue. If you get sick while traveling, be aware of where you can get emergency medical care. Even if you do get severe dengue, if you seek medical attention right away, you have a much better chance of making a full recovery. So, the most important thing is to be safe, stay informed, and be careful.
` Dengue, mosquito, fever, symptoms, bleeding, treatment, prevention
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