Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne painful disease, caused by dengue virus, transmitted by Ades mosquito bite. It is a common disease in tropical and subtropical regions. The symptoms of dengue fever are usually visible within 4-6 days after infection and can last till 10 days.
- Headaches
- Joint pains
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain behind the eyes
- Weariness
- Skin rash occurs after 5 days of infection
- High fever
- Nose and gum bleeping (mild)
- Bruises
Usually infected people recover within a week, however, in some cases; symptoms get worse and can be life-threatening. Severe dengue can cause internal bleeding, damaged and leaky lymph nodes, and low platelet count. This condition is also known as haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). DSS is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent medical attention.
The signs and symptoms include:
- Extreme abdominal pain
- Continuous vomiting
- Nose and gum bleeding
- Blood in urine, stool and vomits
- Internal bleeding causing bruises
- Breathing trouble
- Cold skin (shock)
- Uneasiness and fatigue
These symptoms can sometimes be misdiagnosed for typhoid and malaria, resulting in delayed treatment. If in case these symptoms appear be sure to share your frequent travel details (if any) and medical history (for previous dengue cases) with the diagnosing doctor. To avoid contracting dengue, take precautions such as using mosquito repellents, don’t allow water to stagnate and keep windows closed in the evenings. Dengue mosquitos are attracted to strong perfumes, so avoid using them.
