What is dengue fever?
The disease transmitted by mosquitoes, dengue fever occurs in the subtropical and tropical areas. Slight dengue fever triggers rash, high fever, joint and muscle pain. Serious dengue fever, known as hemorrhagic fever, tends to cause excessive bleeding, low blood pressure and also, death.
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
Mostly people, particularly teens and children, can experience no prominent signs at the initial stage. However, the signs may occur after five to ten days of the (infected) mosquito bite. Symptoms are:
• Headaches.
• Fever (High temperature).
• Bone, joint and muscle pain.
• Pain at the back of your eyes.
Few other symptoms include:
• Vomiting or nausea.
• Slight bleeding from the nose or gums.
• Widespread rash.
What causes Dengue Fever?
There tend to be 4 viruses of dengue that source dengue fever, interestingly; a mosquito species actually spread all such viruses. The species nowadays prospers close and in the human population areas.
The process of virus transmission starts when an infected mosquito bites an individual. If the person (already infected by Dengue virus), is again bitten by an uninfected mosquito, the mosquito now turns infected, can spread the virus to anyone it bites.
What are the risk factors?
You are at a greater risk to develop DF if:
• You travel or live in the tropical areas.
• Previously infected.
What are the complications?
Severe form of DF can damage your heart, liver or lungs. It may cause your blood pressure to fall to some dangerous levels, consequently causing shock, in few cases, death.
How is dengue fever diagnosed?
It can be a difficult task to diagnose dengue fever, since its symptoms can mimic with the symptoms of few other diseases. For example typhoid, leptospirosis and malaria fever.
• Possibly, the doctor will ask you to detail your travel and medical history. You must describe in detail regarding your international trips.
• Particular lab tests may detect the evidence of dengue viruses.
How is dengue fever treated?
No particular treatment exists for DF. You must drink excessive water for avoiding dehydration due to high fever and vomiting. Acetaminophen can help reducing fever and alleviating pain. Just avoid the pain relievers; they tend to increase the bleeding complications for example, ibuprofen and aspirin etc. in case of suffering from the severe form of dengue fever, one may need:
• Electrolyte and intravenous fluid replacement.
• Transfusion for replacing the blood loss.
How can I prevent myself from getting dengue fever?
In case you are traveling or living in the tropical areas, (where the disease is common), try these tips to get yourself protected from mosquito bites.
• Avoid the outdoor activities at dusk, dawn or early evening (mosquitoes are normally out these times).
• Stay in well-screened housing or air-conditioned.
• Wear shoes, socks, pants and long sleeved shirt when visiting the area that are mosquito-infested.
• Apply a mosquito repellent.
Generally, the infected mosquitoes live around or in the houses, tend to breed in stagnant water. We must take preventive measures to lessen their breeding habitat in order to lower the populations of mosquitoes.
By : Natural Health News
