Symptoms of dengue

1. Introduction:

Dengue is a serious illness caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. Due to its transmission through mosquitoes, this disease is classified as a vector-borne disease. Dengue primarily affects our circulatory system, leading to a decrease in platelet count and, in severe cases, it can become life-threatening due to excessive bleeding caused by the impact on blood vessels. However, not everyone is equally affected by the severity of this disease.

Around 40% to 80% of people can have dengue without showing any symptoms, which is referred to as asymptomatic dengue. Often, in symptomatic cases of dengue, common symptoms like fever, headache, and fatigue appear, which usually resolve on their own within 7-14 days. Although identifying these symptoms and seeking timely medical care is important, if left untreated, the situation can become severe.

2. Symptoms of dengue:

Dengue symptoms can be categorized into three types:

• Dengue without warning signs
• Dengue with warning signs
• Severe dengue

3. Dengue without warning signs:

If you have the following symptoms, you could have dengue without warning signs:

• Fever
• Skin rashes
• Bodyache & joint pain
• Headache & red eyes
• Malaise
• Retroorbital pain (pain behind the eyes)
• Diarrhea

4. Dengue with warning signs:

If you have the following symptoms, which are also referred to as dengue warning signs, you could have dengue with warning signs. In such cases, it is important to follow doctors’ advice and, as per their recommendation, being admitted to the hospital might be necessary.

• Severe abdominal pain and tenderness
• Persistent vomiting
• Body swelling (edema)
• Bleeding from the gums
• Excessive weakness and restlessness
• Enlarged liver (>2 cm hepatomegaly)
• Increased hematocrit along with a rapid decrease in platelet count

5. Severe dengue signs:

If you experience the following symptoms, you could have severe dengue. In such cases, patients might require ICU care.

5.1 Features of Plasma Leakage –

• Body swelling (edema)
• Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• Accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pleural effusion)
• Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• Decreased protein in the blood
• Other signs of fluid leakage

5.2 Features of Severe Bleeding –

• Thready pulse
• Heart palpitations
• Bleeding from the nose
• Other signs of severe bleeding

5.3 Severe Involvement of Organs –

• Marked increase in liver enzymes (ALT & AST >1000)
• Decreased urine output
• Unconsciousness and other signs of severe organ involvement

6. Phases of dengue :

Symptomatic dengue can be divided into three phases:

6.1 Febrile Phase (Fever phase):

Fever usually persists for 2-7 days. Other symptoms such as severe headache, pain behind the eyes, bone, joint, and muscle pain, skin rash, bleeding from the gums, blood in urine, and positive tourniquet test are observed during this phase. Warning signs of severe dengue might become apparent towards the end of this phase and when the fever begins to subside.

6.2 Critical Phase:

The critical phase of dengue typically starts after the fever subsides, usually lasting for 24-48 hours. During this phase, most patients show improvement, but those with significant plasma leakage are at risk of developing severe dengue. Patients with plasma leakage might exhibit symptoms such as ascites, pleural effusion, and decreased blood protein. While patients in the initial phase may appear stable despite the development of shock, underestimating this situation can be dangerous.

If not managed well during this phase, patients might experience hematemesis, melena, menorrhagia, encephalitis, hepatitis, myocarditis, and pancreatitis. Often, there’s an increase in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, a drop in sodium, lymphocytes, and platelets, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate remains normal.

6.3 Convalescent Phase:

In this phase, the body gradually returns to its normal state after the unusual changes caused by dengue. Skin rashes that developed during the illness transition from red to white, often accompanied by itching (pruritus), which is referred to as “islets of white in the sea of red.”

7. Preventive Measures:

To protect yourself from dengue, adopt the following preventive measures:

1. Use mosquito nets and wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites.
2. Raise awareness: Educate people about mosquito control methods.
3. Ensure proper sanitation of standing water and take steps to eliminate breeding sites in and around homes.

8. Conclusion:

Dengue is a serious disease that requires recognizing its symptoms and seeking timely treatment. Symptoms of dengue may include fever, body pain, headache, red eyes, fatigue, and nausea. Proper treatment for dengue should be guided by medical experts, and following preventive measures is crucial. Everyone should be aware of mosquito control methods and ways to prevent dengue to ensure their health and safety.

9. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):

Is dengue a life-threatening disease?
Yes, dengue is a life-threatening disease that spreads through mosquito bites.

Can headache be a symptom of dengue?
Yes, headache can be a common symptom of dengue, affecting a person’s daily routine.

Is there a vaccine for dengue?
Yes, there is a vaccine available against the dengue virus, and it should be prioritized.

Can people of all ages be affected by dengue?
Yes, people of all ages can be affected by dengue, although the young and the elderly are more susceptible than others.

Is there a specific medicine for dengue treatment?
Treatment for dengue should be guided by medical experts. They will assess your condition and provide appropriate treatment recommendations.

reference : click here
To read this article please click here