Understanding DENGUE haemorrhagic FEVER

DENGUE FEVER is a common mosquitoborne illness in many tropical and subtropical countries. One study estimated that 50 million infections occur every year. Symptoms can be mild and include: Fever Rash Muscle and joint pain. Mosquitoes become infected with the dengue virus when they bite infected people, and then spread it when they bite another person. Most cases of the dengue virus are caused when a mosquito bites someone, but you can get the virus if you are exposed to infected blood.

Dengue virus rarely causes death. However, the infection can progress into a more serious condition known as severe dengue or dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever include: Bleeding under the skin Frequent vomiting Abdominal pain.

The more severe symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever often develop after you start to recover from the dengue virus.

WHAT CAUSES DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER?

Dengue haemorrhagic fever can occur when someone is bitten by a mosquito or exposed to blood infected with the dengue virus. Infected mosquitoes are the most common causes.

There are four different types of the dengue virus. Once you are infected with one of the viruses, you develop immunity to that virus for the rest of your life. However, this immunity will not protect you from the other viruses.

It is possible to be infected with all four different types of the dengue virus in your lifetime.

Repeated exposure to the dengue virus can make it more likely that you will develop dengue haemorrhagic fever.

WHO IS AT HIGH RISK FOR DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER?

Living in or travelling to Southeast Asia, South and Central America, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the Caribbean can increase your risk of contracting the dengue virus. Other people at higher risk include:

Infants and small children Pregnant women (the virus may be passed from mother to foetus).

Older adults

Those with compromised immune systems

What are the symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever?

Symptoms of the dengue virus generally include: Mild, moderate, or high fever Headaches

Nausea

Vomiting

Pain in the muscles, bones, or joints

Rashes on the skin.

You may feel like you are recovering from dengue fever, and then suddenly develop new and severe symptoms. These could be symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever. Call your doctor if you begin to experience:

Restlessness

Acute, or sudden, fever Severe abdominal pain Bleeding or bruising under the skin

Cold or clammy skin Nosebleeds

Large decrease in blood pressure (shock).

HOW IS DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER DIAGNOSED?

Doctors will usually diagnose the type of dengue virus and then begin to look for signs of dengue haemorrhagic fever. Your doctor may do the following:

Check your blood pressure Examine your skin, eyes, and glands Perform blood tests and coagulation studies Take a chest X-ray. In addition to performing these tests, your doctor may ask you questions about your personal and family medical history. Your doctor may ask about your lifestyle and recent travels. They may also try to rule out other conditions, like malaria, that are common in tropical regions.

TREATMENT FOR DENGUE HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER

The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and keep the infection from becoming more severe. Severe cases may need emergency treatments such as:

Hydration with intravenous (IV) fluids

Over-the-counter or prescription drugs to manage pain Electrolyte therapy Blood transfusions Careful monitoring of blood pressure

Oxygen therapy Skilled nursing observation All of these methods are aimed at controlling and alleviating your symptoms while helping your body heal naturally. Doctors will continue to monitor your body’s response. Severe dengue fever is often more difficult to treat because the symptoms are worse and appear at a faster rate. Source: healthline.com