Published - Mon, 10 Oct 2022

All you want to know about Dengue Fever

All you want to know about Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is an illness caused by the bite of a female mosquito (Aedes aegypti) carrying one among four forms of dengue fever virus (DENV). The virus is most typically found in tropical and semitropic regions, as well as Central and South America, Africa, parts of Asia, and also the Pacific Islands.

Dengue isn’t contagious from person to person except it can pass from a pregnant person to a kid. Symptoms are usually mild with the 1st infection, however, if you get another infection with DENV, your risk of severe complications goes up.

Can you be Immune against dengue fever?

Yes, you'll get immunity to a version of the dengue fever virus once you’ve been infected with it. But you are not immune to other viral strains .. so to get full protection one must get infected with all strains to get full protection, but it is very complicated.

Antibodies are formed when an infection occurs as an immune response, once your body is aware of a way to fight that specific virus, you're unlikely to get severe sickness from that virus.

After obtaining one among the four strains of DENV, you don’t get ready to have dengue again, once more, especially with different strains as this new strain may get caught by antibodies generated by a different strain initially. Now, the viruses are not destroyed, but pulled inside the cells and may cause more harm leading to serious illness.

What are the symptoms of dengue fever?

Most dengue fever infections don’t cause symptoms. If you have symptoms, high fever (104°F/40°C) is typical, along with:

o Rash.

o Intense pain behind your eyes.

o Nausea or acid reflex.

o Muscle, bone, and joint pain.

Dengue fever symptoms classically appear 4-10 days after a mosquito bite. The symptoms may last for 3 to 7 days. It has been observed that 1 in 20 individuals with dengue fever can develop severe dengue symptoms.

How do I manage the symptoms of dengue fever?

Dengue is managed by providing symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a healthcare provider which may include:

• Keeping yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water and fluids.

• Taking enough rest.

• Treat pain with acetaminophen

• Do not take Ibuprofen or aspirin as it might increase the risk of internal bleeding

Created by

Dr. Prashant Raj

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