Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are acute febrile diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, which occur in the tropics, can be life-threatening, and are caused by four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. It is also known as breakbone fever, since it can be extremely painful. Unlike malaria, dengue is just as prevalent in the urban districts of its range as in rural areas. Each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. Dengue is transmitted to humans by the Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti or more rarely the Aedes albopictus mosquito. The mosquitoes that spread dengue usually bite at dusk and dawn but may bite at any time during the day, especially indoors, in shady areas, or when the weather is cloudy.
The WHO says some 2.5 billion people, two fifths of the world's population, are now at risk from dengue and estimates that there may be 50 million cases of dengue infection worldwide every year. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries. (wikipedia)
Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows a benign course with symptoms such as headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy), and rash. The presence (the "dengue triad") of fever, rash, and headache (and other pains) is particularly characteristic of dengue. Other signs of dengue fever include bleeding gums, severe pain behind the eyes, and red palms and soles.
Symptoms
- Dengue starts with chills
- Headache
- Pain upon moving the eyes
- Low backache
- Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness.
- The temperature rises quickly as high as 104 F (40 C), with relative low heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure (hypotension).
- The eyes become reddened.
- A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.
- Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by a rapid drop in body temperature (defervescence) with profuse sweating. This precedes a period with normal temperature and a sense of well-being that lasts about a day. A second rapid rise in temperature follows.
- A characteristic rash appears along with the fever and spreads from the extremities to cover the entire body except the face.
- The palms and soles may be bright red and swollen. (medicinenet)
Prevention
- Empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots.
- Governmental initiatives to decrease mosquitoes also help to keep the disease in check but have been poorly effective.
- To prevent mosquito bites, wear long pants and long sleeves.
- For personal protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic.
- Limiting exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding standing water and staying indoors two hours after sunrise and before sunset will help. (medicinenet)
Various Treatments Found over Internet
“While most patients recover with supportive care, there is no specific treatment for dengue fever,” says Dr Salahuddin.
- Grind 100 gm red Apples in 1qtr hot milk ... use it twice a day
- Papaya Juice - Cure for Dengue
take raw papaya leaves, 2pcs cleaned and pound and squeeze with filter cloth. You only get one tablespoon per leaf.. So two tablespoon per serving once a day. Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water, it will loose its strength. Use only the leafy part and no stem or sap. It is very bitter and has to be swallowed like that. But it works.
