Dengue fever is a tropical disease caused by a virus carried by
mosquitoes. The virus can cause fever, headaches, rashes, and pain
throughout the body. Most cases of dengue fever are mild and go away on
their own after about a week.
Dengue fever rarely strikes in the United States (the last cases were
reported in Texas in 2005), but if you plan to travel to a foreign
country — especially one in the tropics — it's wise to guard against
dengue fever. Wearing insect repellant, covering sleep areas with
netting, and avoiding the outdoors at dusk and dawn (when mosquitoes are
most active) can help lower the chances of infection.
About Dengue Fever
Dengue (DEN-gee) fever is caused by four similar viruses spread by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, which are common in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. When an Aedes mosquito bites a person who has been infected
with a dengue virus, the mosquito can become a carrier of the virus. If
this mosquito bites someone else, that person can be infected with
dengue fever. The virus can't spread directly from person to person.
Many kids with dengue fever don't have symptoms; others have mild
symptoms that appear anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks after being bitten
by an infected mosquito. Symptoms typically last for 2 to 7 days. Once
kids have had the illness, they become immune to that particular type of
the virus (although they can still be infected by any of the other
three types). In rare cases, dengue fever can lead to more serious forms of the
disease. These conditions, called dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue
shock syndrome, can cause shock and death and need immediate medical
treatment.
Signs & Symptoms
In the past, dengue fever was known as "breakbone fever," which might
give you an idea of the symptoms it can cause — that is, if a person
ends up having any symptoms at all. The fever isn't actually breaking
any bones, but it can sometimes feel like it is.
Common signs and symptoms of dengue fever include:
- high fever, possibly as high as 105°F (40°C)
- pain behind the eyes and in the joints, muscles, and/or bones
- severe headache
- rash over most of the body
- mild bleeding from the nose or gums
- bruising easily
Symptoms are generally mild in younger children and those who get
infected with the disease for the first time. Older kids, adults, and
those who have had a previous infection may experience moderate to
severe symptoms. People with dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome will
have the regular symptoms of dengue fever for 2 to 7 days. After the
fever subsides, other symptoms worsen and can cause more severe
bleeding; gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, or severe
abdominal pain; and respiratory problems like difficulty breathing. If left untreated, dehydration,
heavy bleeding, and a rapid drop in blood pressure (shock) can occur.
These symptoms are life threatening and require immediate medical
attention.
Diagnosis
If your child has any symptoms of dengue fever, call a doctor right
away. You should also contact a doctor if your child has recently been
to a region that has dengue fever and develops a fever or severe
headache. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will examine your child and evaluate
the symptoms. The doctor will ask about your child's medical history and
recent travels, and send a sample of your child's blood to be tested
for the disease.
Treatment
No specific treatment is available for dengue fever. Mild cases can
be treated by giving lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and getting
plenty of rest. Pain relievers with acetaminophen can to treat the
headaches and pain associated with dengue fever. Pain relievers with aspirin or ibuprofen should be avoided, as they can make bleeding more likely.
Most cases of dengue fever go away within a week or two and won't
cause any lasting problems. If someone has severe symptoms of the
disease, or if symptoms get worse in the first day or two after the
fever goes away, seek immediate medical care. This could be an
indication of dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which
needs immediate medical attention.
To treat severe cases of dengue fever at a hospital, doctors will
deliver intravenous (IV) fluids and electrolytes (salts) to replace the
fluids lost through vomiting or diarrhea.
This is usually enough to effectively treat the disease, as long as
fluid replacement therapy begins early. In more advanced cases, doctors
may have to perform a transfusion to replace lost blood. In all cases of dengue infection, regardless of how serious symptoms
are, efforts should be made to keep the infected person from being
bitten by mosquitoes. This will help prevent the illness from spreading
to others.
Source: kidshealth