Dengue: Common Killer

Dengue is the most common disease but if not treated immediately would cause death to the victim. It is but just a bite of a mosquito but carry out hazardous effect to a certain person who acquired it.
Dengue is a transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with anyone of the four dengue viruses. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Symptoms appear 3-14 days after the infective bite.

Dengue fever is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults.
Symptoms range from a mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue. It is important to maintain hydration.

Photo credit: Google
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding) is a potentially lethal complication, affecting mainly children. Early clinical diagnosis and careful clinical management by experienced physicians and nurses increase survival of patients.

Photo credit: Google
Causes of Dengue Fever
The virus is contracted from the bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person. The mosquito flourishes during rainy season but can breed in water-filled flower pots, plastic bags, and cans year-round. One mosquito bite can inflict the disease.
The virus is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. There must be a person-to-mosquito-to-another-person pathway.

Dengue fever treatment
There is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. Persons who think they have dengue should use analgesics (pain relievers) with acetaminophen and avoid those containing aspirin. They should also rest, drink plenty of fluids, and consult a physician.
There is no specific medication for DHF. It can however be effectively treated by fluid replacement therapy if an early clinical diagnosis made. Hospitalization is frequently required in order to adequately manage DHF.
We should know how to get rid from this mosquito in order to stay away from dengue.


Resources: www.medicinenet.com

                        www.who.int
                        www.pathologylabindia.com

2 comments: