dengue some facts

Dengue……..Some facts

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Dengue

• The word dengue is derived from African word denga: meaning fever with hemorrhage .

• Is caused by virus transmitted due to bites of the Aedes mosquito (different from the malaria mosquito).



Epidemiology

• In India first outbreak of dengue was recorded in 1812

• A double peak hemorrhagic fever epidemic occurred in India for the first time in Calcutta between July 1963 & March 1964

• In New Delhi, outbreaks of dengue fever reported in 1967,1970,1982, &1996



Dengue

• Caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes.

• The virus is contracted from the bite of a mosquito called Aedes aegypti mosquito that has previously bitten an infected person.

• The mosquito flourishes during rainy seasons but can breed in water-filled flower pots year-round.



Characteristics of the Aedes Mosquito• It is also called as Tiger mosquito (because they have

black and yellow stripes all over)

• Bites during the early morning or at dawn and during the day.

• Lays its eggs in clean, stagnant water.

• Only the female Aedes mosquito feeds on blood. This is because

they need the protein found in blood to produce eggs.

Male mosquitoes feed only on plant nectar.



Watch out ! This Mosquito

• Day biting – normally catches the patient unawares.

• Loves / lives in fresh water in homes.

• Lays eggs preferentially in jars, discarded containers, coconut shells, old tyres etc.

• Year round breeding

• Tropical regions like India are its favorite zones.

• It is an urban mosquito. This disease can affect the rich & affluent too & is not limited to patients from low socio-economic strata only.



Symptoms of Dengue

• Appear 3—14 days after the bite.

• Symptoms: –Range from a mild to high fever–Severe headache– Pain behind the eyes–Muscle and joint pain–Swollen glands, and rash.



Dengue Presentations

• Like any other viral fever- not clear cut

• Dengue Fever with Muscle pains

this is classical presentation in 90% cases

• Dengue Fever with bleeding in 7%

• Dengue – the dangerous form in 3%



What does the patient experience ?

2–7 days after the mosquito bite, the patient may develop

• Sudden onset of fever, chills, headache

• Back pain with severe muscle and joint pains

• Pain behind the eyes and on moving the eyes

• Nick name - Break bone fever.

• Red patches or spots on the skin

• Mild nose bleedsThis is the ordinary classical

Non dangerous form!



Bleeding from where?

• Bleeding into skin

• From Gums

• From Nose

• Into the food passage

• Blood in urine



What is the end result?

• Complete recovery is the rule

• Severe weakness may persist for many days after the fever subsides.



Skin bleedsaayurvedatips.blogspot.com


Dengue – The bleeding form

• Blood vessels are affected

• There is severe oozing into tissues

• Bleeding into all possible parts of body

• Blood clotting mechanism is disrupted

• Blood pressure falls and many end in collapse and death

• In the best centers 5% of this type of Dengue will reach their forefathers



Bleeding into the eye



Large bleed into skin



Bleeding spots in skin

Dengue

Normal



Rare types of Dengue

• Brain fever

• Liver damage

• Heart damage

• Severe bleeding into stomach



What are the tests needed?

• Routine blood test

• Tests to check the clotting process

• Special tests to identify Dengue or its foot marks in blood

• Urine to check protein leak



Management Dengue fever • There is no specific anti viral treatment

• The management is essentially supportive and symptomatic (Bedrest)

• The key to success is frequent monitoring and changing strategies depending on clinical and laboratory evaluations.



Tips to reduce risk of mosquito bites

• Reschedule outdoor activities. –Avoid being outdoors at dawn, dusk and early

evening

• Wear protective clothing. –Wear clothes that cover your arms, legs and feet

• Use mosquito repellent.

• Prevent breeding of mosquito. – The mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus

breed in stagnant water –Remove all sources of stagnant water. Don’t let it

lay its eggs.



Remember

• Don’t ignore fever that is persistent & associated with body ache & pain while moving the eyes.

• Look out for red spots/patches on the skin.

• Keep yourself hydrated- drink lots of water.

• Consult your Doctor IMMEDIATELY.

• DO NOT SELF MEDICATE.

• Remove stagnant water from containers, flower pots etc.

• Wear full sleeves when going out.

• DENGUE IS NOT CONTAGIOUS. Not spread by the patient but the MOSQUITO!!!



dengue some facts

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