Dengue Fever: Its Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, mainly of the species Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus (to a lesser extent). However, it cannot spread directly from one person to another. Also known as break-bone fever, this is a viral infection that occurs most commonly in tropical and subtropical areas. Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, also known as DENV, and the specified mosquito species act as carriers for the virus. There are four different types of dengue viruses known as DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, and DENV 4. When an individual recovers from the dengue infection, he/she develops lifelong immunity against that particular strain of the virus. However, cross-immunity to the other virus strains is only partial and temporary.

Causes of Dengue Fever

Usually, the monsoon season is the time for dengue outbreaks. During this time, the weather remains warm and humid, offering a suitable setting for different types of mosquito-related diseases. When a mosquito infected with any of the DENV strains bites a human being, the virus enters his/her bloodstream and starts spreading the infection. Other than this, the dengue virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her unborn child.

Signs and Symptoms of Dengue

Dengue is known to cause a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from subclinical diseases to severe flu-like symptoms. Sometimes, the infected individual can develop a serious illness, leading to a number of complications such as severe bleeding, organ impairment, plasma leakage, etc. In rare cases, dengue can prove to be a fatal disease if not immediately acted upon. There are 7 major warning signs of dengue fever:

• Headache
• Muscle, bone, or joint pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain behind the eyes
• Swollen glands
• Rash

In dengue, having a high fever is common. However, every infected individual doesn't necessarily develop all of these symptoms. So if one has any of these signs, it is best to consult a doctor.

Diagnosis

Generally, an individual infected with the dengue virus takes a week or so to recover completely. But in some cases, the symptoms of dengue fever can worsen and become life-threatening. This condition is called severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. To avoid such a situation, one should consult a doctor as soon as any symptoms of dengue appear. The doctor may suggest a suitable blood test to detect the presence of the dengue virus in an individual's body. There are four common types of blood tests used to detect dengue fever:

• Dengue NS 1 Antigen Test
• Dengue IgG Test
• Dengue IgM Test
• Dengue RNA PCR Test

Prevention Here are a few precautions that one can take to avoid dengue infection:

Wear Full Clothes 

Since the main reason for dengue infection is a mosquito bite, wearing covered clothes is the most effective way to stay protected from this virus. The less exposed an individual's body is, the fewer chances there are for them to get bitten by mosquitoes. Other than this, wearing light-colored clothes is also a great way to repel mosquitoes.

Using a Mosquito Repellent

While going out, it is recommended to use a mosquito repellant. This will protect not only from dengue infection but also from other diseases that are caused by mosquito bites. However, always do a patch test before using it all over the body.

Keep Enough Lighting

This is a well-known fact that mosquitos breed in dark and damp places. So, it is important to make sure that the living space is well-lit and free from any kind of dampness. This way, it gets easier to prevent mosquitoes from invading the house and making it a breeding site.

Avoid Stagnant Water

Any type of mosquito breeds in stagnant water. If there are some places with dirty, stagnant water around, the chances of several mosquito-borne diseases automatically increase. It is important to keep the surroundings clean and free from any dirt or water accumulations. Narayana Health is a leading healthcare group headquartered in Bengaluru, India. With a large network of some of the biggest hospitals in India, best-in-class treatment is being offered in several cities. Providing advanced levels of care in over 30 specialties, Narayana Health has some of the best doctors in India.