What is Dengue?
Dengue is fast emerging pandemic-prone viral disease in many parts of the world. Dengue flourishes in urban poor areas, suburbs and the countryside but also affects more affluent neighbourhoods in tropical and subtropical countries.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue. The incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years. Up to 50-100 million infections are now estimated to occur annually in over 100 endemic countries, putting almost half of the world’s population at risk.
Severe dengue (previously known as dengue haemorrhagic fever) was first recognized in the 1950s during dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand. Today it affects Asian and Latin American countries and has become a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children and adults in these regions.
The full life cycle of dengue fever virus involves the role of mosquito as a transmitter (or vector) and humans as the main victim and source of infection.
Symptoms
Pain areas: in the abdomen, back, back of the eyes, bones, joints, or muscles
Whole body: chills, fatigue, fever, or loss of appetite
Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting
Skin: rashes or red spots
Also common: easy bruising or headache
Supportive care
Treatment consists of pain medications and fluids
Treatment includes fluids and pain relievers. Severe cases require hospital care.
Fluid replacement
Supplies or replenishes water and nutrients in the body.
Can be self-healing
Condition usually improves over time without treatment.
Oral rehydration therapy
Giving fluid by mouth to treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea.
IV fluids
Delivering fluids, medication or blood directly into a vein.
Medications
Analgesic. Relieves pain.
