Dengue fever is caused by four viruses that are very similar to one another. The viruses are spread through the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The disease is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas, including South and Central America, sub-Saharan Africa, Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Although most dengue fever is not life-threatening, a deadly strain may develop if an individual is re-infected, a condition called dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is life-threatening because it interferes with blood clotting, which causes internal bleeding.
Disease Time Frame
Symptoms of infection begin about three to seven days after an individual is bitten by an infected mosquito, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dengue hemorrhagic fever, which usually occurs during a second infection by any of the four viruses, is characterized by a fever that lasts between two to seven days. When the fever goes away, blood clotting fails over the next two days, and internal bleeding occurs.
Complications
Dengue hemorrhagic fever has many complications and some may be life-threatening, according to the National Institute of Health. The disease prevents clotting of blood, which causes fluid to accumulate around the stomach and lungs. The body may go into shock and coma. Prevention of clotting also leads to bruising, bleeding from the gums and nose, and internal bleeding.
Symptoms
Symptoms of initial dengue fever include severe head and back aches, nausea and vomiting, a fever up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, a recurrent rash over the entire body, severe joint and muscle pain, and pain behind the eyes.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever symptoms include a decrease in blood clotting cells called platelets, bleeding from the nose and mouth, damage to blood and lymph vessels, bleeding under the skin, and eventual death.
A third condition called dengue shock syndrome has symptoms that include heavy bleeding, disorientation, severe abdominal pain, sudden drop in blood pressure or shock, leaking of fluid from blood vessels, vomiting and death.
Treatment
Although no cure is available for dengue fever, treatment includes analgesics for pain, plenty of fluids and rest. Treatment for hemorrhagic fever includes hospitalization in intensive care where patients are able to receive around-the-clock observation and treatment. Intravenous fluids are given to replace electrolytes, and oxygen therapy is administered to help with low oxygen due to blood loss. Blood hemorrhaging can be treated with transfusions of both blood and platelets, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health.
Prevention
If an individual has been infected with the dengue virus, it is vital to prevent another infection, which could lead to hemorrhagic fever. Preventative measures include wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and closed shoes and avoiding the outdoors when mosquitoes are present, especially during early evening, dawn and dusk. Insect repellents are also effective. DEET in 10 to 30 percent concentrations can be used on the skin to keep mosquitoes away. Permethrin can be used on clothing, shoes and gear.
