What is dengue and its causes, diagnosis and symptoms

 

 What is dengue and its cause, diagnosis and symptoms |  What is Dengue ?

 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dengue fever is a common problem in more than 100 countries around the world and an estimated 3 billion people live in areas affected by dengue.  These include India and other parts of Southeast Asia, China, Africa, Taiwan and Mexico.  According to figures released by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP), more than 14044 dengue cases were reported in India alone by July 2021.  And 4 people have died. The report also found that it was the worst year for India in terms of dengue.  About 1.88 lakh dengue cases were reported in 2017, out of which 325 people lost their lives due to it.

 What is dengue?

 Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection or disease.  Dengue fever causes headaches, muscle and joint pains, rashes on the body, etc.  Dengue fever is also called breakbone fever.  Dengue is caused by Aedes mosquito bites.  The infection is caused by serotypes of the Flaviviridae family of viruses - DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.  However, the virus does not survive for more than 10 days.  When dengue infection becomes severe, the risk of dengue hemorrhagic fever or DHF (dengue hemorrhagic fever) increases.  It can cause heavy bleeding, sudden drop in blood pressure and even death of the victim.  DHF is also called dengue shock syndrome.  In more serious cases, immediate hospitalization is required otherwise the victim may die.  There is no specific treatment for dengue.  Only by recognizing its symptoms can you control it.

 Symptoms of dengue

 Dengue can be both mild or severe.  In such cases, its symptoms are also seen differently.  Often mild dengue causes no symptoms, especially in children and adolescents.  Mild symptoms of dengue appear four to seven days after infection.  In addition to fever (104 ° F), these symptoms include the following symptoms:

 headache

 Muscle, bone and joint pain

 Vomiting

 Nausea

 Eye pain

 Skin rashes

 Swollen glands

 However, in severe cases the risk of developing hemorrhagic fever or DHF (dengue hemorrhagic fever) is higher.  In this condition, the blood vessels become damaged and the platelet count in the blood begins to decrease.  In such cases the following symptoms may appear:

 Acute abdominal pain

 Constant vomiting

 Bleeding from the gums or nose

 Blood in urine, stool or vomit

 Bleeding under the skin, which may look like a bruise

 Shortness of breath

 Feeling tired

 Irritability or restlessness

 Risk factors for dengue

 There are various factors that can increase the risk of infection with dengue.  We are giving you the following information about some of the major risk factors: -

 Living in a dengue affected area

 If you live in an area where Aedes mosquitoes are most prevalent, the chances of getting infected with dengue naturally increase.

 Pre-infection: People who once had dengue do not have immunity to this viral infection.  In this case, when you have dengue a second time, your chances of being infected are more serious.

 Low Immunity: People with weakened immune systems are also more likely to get dengue.  In such cases, older people become victims of dengue.  Also, people with diabetes, lung disease and heart disease have an increased risk of dengue.

 Low Platelet Count: Dengue is more severe when the number of platelets (clotting cells) in the victim's blood is too low.  In this case, if your platelet count level is already low, you may be infected with dengue earlier than others.

 Complications of dengue

 If the dengue infection is severe, it can affect your lungs, liver and heart.  Blood pressure can be very low.  In extreme cases it can be fatal.  The following complications can be seen in the body when the dengue infection is severe:

 Acute abdominal pain

 Accumulation of fluid in the liver

 Bleeding

 Nausea

 Accumulation of fluid in the chest

 Diagnosis of dengue

 Dengue is usually diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms and physical examination.  After evaluating your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe the following tests:

 Complete blood count: By this test, the platelet count in the body is detected.  The low count of these cells indicates how serious dengue has become.

 ELISA test for dengue NS1 Ag: This is a blood test that detects the dengue virus antigen.  However, it can show negative results during the early stages of infection.  In such cases, if the symptoms of dengue persist in a person, the test should be repeated.

 PCR test (PCR for detecting viral DNA): This test may be more effective in the first 7 days after infection, when NS1 AG

 The test result is negative despite the infection.

 Serum IgG and IgM test: This test is usually done to find out the next stage and condition.  Once the virus enters the body, immune cells begin to produce IGG and IGM antibodies against the dengue virus.  The levels of these antibodies increase gradually.

 Treatment of dengue

 There is no specific drug or specific treatment for dengue.  The doctor may prescribe painkillers such as paracetamol to control the fever and pain.  Keeping the body hydrated is one of the most important ways to control dengue.  In this case, clean water should be drunk in sufficient quantity.  However, patients with severe symptoms need to be hospitalized.  In severe cases, the patient is given intravenous fluid or electrolyte supplementation.  In some cases, it is also treated by blood pressure monitoring and blood transfusion.  Be sure to self-administer medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as they may increase the risk of bleeding.

 Dengue prevention

 In May 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a dengue vaccine called denguexia in children between the ages of 9 and 16.  However, the vaccine has not yet been approved in India.  Dengue is a contagious disease that is spread from person to person by mosquitoes.  In such cases, due to lack of vaccine, the only way to avoid dengue is to protect yourself from mosquitoes.  Use mosquito nets as much as possible.  Close the doors and windows of your home before evening.  Wear clothes that completely cover the body.  You can also take the following steps:

 Make sure water does not collect around.  Keep changing the cold water.  Keep the water covered.  Mosquitoes lay their eggs only in these places.

 If there is an open water source that you cannot remove, cover it or apply a proper disinfectant.

 This article is made for informational purposes only. If you have any kind of illness then first consult a doctor.