What is Dengue?
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease which is viral in nature and occurs in subtropical and tropical areas. Dengue is a single positive stranded RNA virus and easily spreads via mosquitoes (Aedes) that gives people dengue fever. Dengue belongs to the genus Flavivirus. When we observe dengue symptoms in a person, it is best advised to take them to a doctor and take medical help. If a person is infected from dengue fever more than once, it may be a severity and needs immediate attention as it may lead to hemorrhagic fever. We will discuss the dengue symptoms ahead in this article.
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Dengue Fever Symptoms
Symptoms are the signs shown by our body or body parts which are not like normal functioning or feeling and it leads to unusual state. Many times, many diseases and disorders show symptoms; likewise, dengue fever symptoms also exist.
Dengue fever symptoms that usually occurs after 4 to 6 days of infection and can last for up to 10 days are explained as follows:
High Fever
People infected with dengue will be suddenly bedridden with high fever which may be 106 Fahrenheit or 41 degrees Celsius.
Unbearable Headaches and Pain Behind Eyes
Dengue patients will suffer from severe headaches and constant pain behind the eyes that causes a lot of discomfort.
Joint Pain and Fatigue
It is one of the most lethargic dengue symptoms that makes patients feel very tired. It leads to making the person weak and difficult to stand or walk; every little normal routine will make them feel like a tough exercise. Dengue tiredness is very different from a normal lethargy. Dengue fever is also accompanied by joint pain which is a high physical discomfort.
Vomiting and Nausea
A person will feel extremely nauseated and hunger will be missing, preventing them from eating anything. They feel like throwing up whenever they eat anything. Extreme vomiting is also observed in people suffering from Dengue fever.
Skin Rash
After 2 to 5 days of fever onset, skin rashes start and it is one of the peculiar symptoms of dengue. One should consult a doctor immediately on seeing rashes on the skin with high fever. It is one of the ways that helps a doctor to eliminate dengue from the suspicious list of diseases.
Platelet Count Drops
There is a drop in the platelet count drastically which is found after doing a blood test for dengue. It is an alarming symptom and shouldn’t be ignored at any cost. Usually, the platelet count ranges from 1.5 lakh - 4.5 lakh per microlitre of blood. In person suffering from dengue, this count may go down to 20,000 or even lower; however, it is normalized once the person recovers from Dengue.
Bleeding
Due to drastic drop in platelet count, the body is susceptible to active bleeding from the mouth or nose. Internal bleeding may also take place that causes easy bruising.
Inflamed Lymph Nodes
Often, swollen lymph nodes are observed in people suffering from Dengue where these become inflamed.
Abdominal and Muscle Pain
A person may suffer from muscle pain as well as abdominal discomfort which makes it worse to bear. It is better to show up to a doctor than intake of over the counter medications.
If anyone observes above discussed signs and symptoms of Dengue fever, one must immediately visit a professional medical practitioner so that they can help you with further proceedings, remedies and treatments. Dengue symptoms in kids are also similar as they will have high fever as high as 105°F (40°C), severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscles, joint and bones pain, mild bleeding from the gums or nose, rashes over the body and easy bruising. Therefore being careful of the first symptoms of dengue and taking necessary steps is helpful to cure it on time.
Causes of Dengue
Dengue virus, abbreviated as DENV is responsible for causing Dengue fever. The dengue virus is a single-stranded (RNA) positive strand virus. Dengue fever can also be caused by any one of the four serotypes, namely DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, DENV 4. These 4 different strands of the virus are called serotypes due to their different interactions with the antibodies in the human blood serum.
All the four serotypes circulate well in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. India has a favourable environment for these viruses to survive and develop. These are the dengue fever causes as discussed here.
Treatment for Dengue Fever
Dengue fever can be treated with pain medications and fluids.
Some of the severe cases require admission to hospitals.
Supportive measures are taken such as oral rehydration therapy and fluid replacement.
It can also be self- healing.
Analgesic medications can also be given.
Papaya leaf extract is also believed to be very effective for curing dengue fever.
Precautions for Dengue fever
It is better to adapt dengue fever prevention measures rather than stressing out after its suffering. There are certain steps which we should instill in our daily routines that will help us stay safe and away from dengue fever.
Keep your surroundings clean devoid of all the sources of stagnant water.
Making use of mosquito repellents and avoiding mosquito bites.
Keeping a check on water in vases and flower pots ensuring it is changed frequently with fresh water.
Spraying insecticides around residential and commercial areas on a regular basis, cleaning up gutters and blockages.
FAQs on Dengue Symptoms
1. What are the most common initial symptoms of dengue fever?
The initial symptoms of dengue fever typically appear 4 to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common signs to watch for include:
- A sudden, high fever (up to 104°F or 40°C).
- Severe headache, often with pain behind the eyes (retro-orbital pain).
- Intense joint and muscle pain (myalgia and arthralgia), which is why dengue is also known as “break-bone fever.”
- Nausea and vomiting.
- A skin rash, which usually appears a few days after the fever starts.
- Fatigue and general weakness.
2. Is dengue a viral disease, and how is it transmitted?
Yes, dengue is a viral disease caused by the Dengue virus (DENV), which belongs to the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito. When a mosquito bites a person with dengue, it becomes a carrier and can then transmit the virus to other people it bites. It is not contagious through direct person-to-person contact. There are four distinct serotypes of the virus: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4.
3. What are the key warning signs of severe dengue that require immediate medical attention?
While most dengue cases are mild, some can progress to severe dengue (also known as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome). The warning signs usually appear 24 to 48 hours after the fever subsides and require immediate hospitalisation. These signs include:
- Severe abdominal pain or tenderness.
- Persistent vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours).
- Bleeding from the nose or gums.
- Vomiting blood or having blood in the stool.
- Feeling very tired, restless, or irritable.
- Cold or clammy skin.
- Difficulty breathing.
4. How do the symptoms of dengue fever typically progress on a day-by-day basis?
The progression of dengue symptoms generally follows three phases:
- Febrile Phase (Days 1-3): This phase begins with a sudden high fever, accompanied by severe headache, body aches, and sometimes a rash. This is the initial, most symptomatic stage.
- Critical Phase (Days 4-7): During this period, the fever may drop, which can be misleading. This is when warning signs for severe dengue can emerge as the platelet count drops and plasma leakage may occur. Close monitoring is crucial in this phase.
- Recovery Phase (Days 7-10): If no complications arise, the patient's condition begins to improve. Body fluids are reabsorbed, the platelet count gradually rises, and appetite returns.
5. What is the characteristic temperature pattern seen in dengue fever?
Dengue fever often exhibits a distinctive biphasic or “saddleback” fever pattern. This means the patient experiences an initial period of high fever lasting for 2 to 7 days. This is followed by a brief drop in temperature (defervescence) for about one day, during which the patient may feel better. However, a second, often shorter, fever spike can occur after this brief remission before the final recovery begins.
6. Is dengue contagious from one person to another?
No, dengue is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person through casual contact, coughing, or sneezing. The dengue virus is transmitted exclusively through the bite of an infected mosquito, which acts as a vector. For transmission to occur, a mosquito must first bite an infected individual and then bite a healthy one.
7. Why does the platelet count drop significantly in dengue fever?
A drop in platelet count, a condition known as thrombocytopenia, is a hallmark of dengue fever. This happens for two main reasons. Firstly, the dengue virus can directly infect and suppress the bone marrow, which is the body's primary site for platelet production. Secondly, the body's immune response to the virus can lead to the creation of antibodies that mistakenly attack and destroy the body's own platelets. This drop increases the risk of bleeding, a key complication of severe dengue.
8. What are the immediate steps to take if someone shows dengue symptoms?
If you suspect someone has dengue, it is crucial to seek medical advice promptly. The immediate steps should include:
- Consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis, which may involve blood tests.
- Ensure the person gets plenty of rest.
- Promote fluid intake by giving lots of water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), and fruit juices to prevent dehydration.
- Avoid giving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. Paracetamol is generally considered safer for fever management under medical guidance.
9. How do dengue symptoms in children differ from those in adults?
Dengue symptoms can present differently in children compared to adults. While adults typically show the classic “break-bone” fever and severe headaches, children may have a more varied or non-specific presentation. Key differences include:
- Children might exhibit more gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea.
- A skin rash may be a more common and prominent symptom in younger patients.
- Fever might not be as high, and they may show symptoms similar to a common cold or flu, making diagnosis challenging without a medical evaluation.
- Children are also more susceptible to capillary leakage and developing severe dengue, requiring careful monitoring.
