What is Dengue? Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and treatment.

Summary

Dengue fever, an acute infectious disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, presents with symptoms like severe headaches, joint pain, and rashes. It can escalate to severe dengue, characterized by plasma leakage and risk of shock. Early diagnosis and symptom management are crucial, with the first vaccine available since 2015 offering partial prevention. This video educates viewers on dengue's impact and the importance of awareness.

Takeaways

• 🦟 Dengue is an acute, infectious disease caused by the dengue virus, a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus.
• 🌡️ Symptoms of dengue fever include severe headache, joint pain, and a rash, typically developing between 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
• 🔍 The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes of the species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are often found in urban and suburban areas.
• 🌍 Aedes albopictus mosquitoes have spread to America and Europe through the transport of Asian products, and they can survive sub-freezing temperatures, allowing dengue to reach cooler climates.
• 🤒 Classic symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, eye pain, muscle and joint pains, extreme fatigue, and a rash appearing between the 2nd and 5th day of fever.
• 🩸 Severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), is characterized by increased vascular permeability, plasma leakage, low platelet count, and a tendency towards severe bleeding.
• 🚨 Warning signs of severe dengue include abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, lethargy, mucosal bleeding, liver enlargement, and fluid accumulation in the lungs or abdomen.
• 🏥 Treatment for severe dengue requires hospitalization, particularly in an intensive care unit, for close monitoring and medication to manage blood pressure.
• 💉 The first dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, was introduced in Mexico in December 2015 and is administered as a three-dose series to individuals aged 9 to 45.
• 🛡️ Dengvaxia has been shown to prevent about 59% of dengue cases, but it is crucial to manage symptoms and seek medical attention if experiencing signs of dengue fever.
• 🌟 The video encourages viewers to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on the latest videos about health and diseases.

Q & A

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease characterized by symptoms such as severe headache, joint pain, and a rash, caused by the dengue virus, a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus.

Which mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting dengue fever?

Dengue fever is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes of the species Aedes aegypti and sometimes by Aedes albopictus.

Why are Aedes mosquitoes particularly associated with urban and suburban areas?

Aedes mosquitoes are found in urban and suburban areas because they prefer to breed in man-made containers such as tires, flowerpots, and other household water storage.

How did Aedes albopictus mosquitoes spread to America and Europe?

Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were transported to America and Europe through the import of Asian products, such as used tires and lucky bamboo.

What are the typical signs and symptoms of dengue fever?

Symptoms of dengue fever usually develop between 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, severe muscle and joint pains, extreme fatigue, rash, and a tendency to bleed.

What is the most serious form of dengue infection?

The most serious form of dengue infection is dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which is characterized by increased permeability of blood vessels, plasma leakage, low blood platelet count, and a tendency towards severe or hemorrhagic bleeding.

What are the warning signs of developing severe dengue or DHF?

Warning signs of severe dengue or DHF include abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, lethargy or restlessness, mucosal bleeding, liver enlargement, and fluid accumulation in the lungs or abdomen.

Why is shock a life-threatening concern in dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Shock is life-threatening in DHF because it involves the leakage of plasma into the surrounding tissues, leading to a lack of plasma in the bloodstream, which impairs blood circulation and can result in metabolic problems and organ failure.

How can dengue infection be diagnosed?

Dengue infection can be diagnosed with a test that checks for the presence of the virus or antibodies to it in the patient's blood.

What is the recommended treatment for dengue fever?

Treatment for dengue fever primarily involves managing symptoms with pain relievers that don't worsen bleeding, and intravenous fluids to prevent shock. Frequent blood draws and assessments are necessary to monitor the patient's condition.

What is the significance of the dengue vaccine that was made available in 2015?

The dengue vaccine, introduced in 2015, is significant as it covers all four dengue subtypes and is administered to people aged 9 to 45 as a three-dose series, with studies showing it can prevent about 59% of dengue cases.