Dengue Fever

1.    Cause

Dengue fever is a disease caused by the 
            dengue virus.

2.    Symptoms

An abrupt onset of high fever lasts 2 to 7 days with severe headache, severe muscle and joint pain 
and also abdominal pain. After about 3 to 5 days, 
a typical rash appears –flushed skin with little red bumps and islands of normal skin. This is usually after the fever subsides and the patient starts to feel better. However, this is also the more dangerous phase of the illness as the blood platelet levels start to drop. Platelets are essential for blood to clot. Bleeding can then happen. This is known as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and happens in only about 3% of cases. This is manifested as bleeding spots under the skin, nose or gum bleeding or worse; bleeding in the stomach or intestines, which can be life-threatening. DHF is more common if you have previously had dengue.

3.    People affected

Both Children and adults are affected.

4.    Target organs or target area

Small blood vessels and blood cells, heart, liver and skeletal muscle are damaged in severe cases.

5.    Routes for spread

It is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, Aedes aegypti mosquito.

6.    Prevention

The best way to prevent having dengue fever is to avoid mosquito bite. Aedes mosquitoes breed in small pools of stagnant water like outdoor plant pot bases, and flower vases. Do check your home regularly and empty out any collected water every 2-3 days. On a personal level, insect avoidance measures such as using repellents like RID will also help.