Dengue cases have seen an increase once again in the past few weeks. In India, Karnataka saw a rapid surge until July 2024, and Tamil Nadu and Kerala had the highest number of people infected with dengue fever. Per information shared by the National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control, there were 19,447 dengue cases reported in India till 30th April 2024 with 16 casualties.
Looking at the rising cases, it is essential for everyone to understand its symptoms and know how to protect themselves and their loved ones. Let’s know more about dengue fever in this article.
What is Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is a viral, mosquito-borne infection more common in tropical and warm climates. Dengue fever is caused by one of the four dengue-related viruses, known as serotypes, and has many symptoms. These symptoms generally appear 4 to 10 days after being infected by the mosquito bite.
Generally, there are two types of dengue fever – mild and severe. In the case of the mild, you will have flu-like dengue symptoms. However, if you have a severe one, also called hemorrhagic fever, it can cause severe bleeding, a sudden drop in your blood pressure, and even death.
Dengue virus enters the blood when the infected mosquito bites the person, leading to the virus binding to platelets and replicating. This process multiplies the infectious virus in the body, and the infected platelets destroy the healthy ones. Hence, there is a sudden decrease in the platelet count when someone is infected with dengue fever.
Why Sudden Surge in Dengue Fever Cases?
There is always a sudden rise in dengue cases, especially during the monsoon season. This is primarily because of lifestyle changes, urbanisation, population density, and improper water disposal. Because of high temperatures, inadequate waste management, and stagnant water at certain places for long durations, there is elevated mosquito breeding, especially Aedes mosquitoes.
Dengue fever is caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito, which is found mainly in stagnant water. Hence, it is necessary to ensure proper water and waste management to avoid this rise. WHO has also listed it as a potential threat due to seasonal patterns and the transmissions that occur most during the monsoon season.
Dengue Fever Symptoms
Dengue fever causes many symptoms, including some very mild that go unnoticed and some that may even require hospitalisation. Listed below are some common dengue fever symptoms:
- Headaches – Intense pain in the forehead and behind the eyes.
- High fever – Usually reaching more than 104 F
- Nausea – Feeling sick, leading to vomiting in some cases.
- Vomiting – Throwing up everything that is eaten.
- Dengue fever rash – Substantial parts of your body may be affected by a blotchy rash consisting of flat or slightly elevated spots.
- Body pain and aches – Severe pain in the entire body, especially joints.
- Swollen glands – A kind of inflammation in the lymph nodes, which may be painful, making it difficult to eat or drink.
If no medical intervention is given to the patient, dengue fever can be highly fatal, especially the severe types of dengue fever, and can even lead to death.
How to Diagnose Dengue?
Your doctor may advise you to go for a dengue test for diagnosis. They can even ask you to take a dengue fever platelet count test to check the number of platelets. Here are some tests that can be suggested:
- Dengue IGG and IGM ELISA
- Dengue IGG ELISA
- Dengue IgM ELISA
- Dengue NS1 + IGG + IGM ELISA(AG+AB)
- Dengue NS1 AND IGG ELISA
- Dengue NS1 AND IGM ELISA
- Dengue NS1 ELISA
Dengue Fever Treatment
There is no specific dengue fever treatment. However, doctors treat the condition by managing the dengue symptoms to help the patients get relieved. Early detection and proper medical care can significantly reduce the fatality rates in the case of severe types of dengue fever.
Steps for Dengue Fever Prevention
Listed below are specific steps that you can take for dengue fever prevention, especially during monsoon season:
- Use mosquito repellents
- Wear full-sleeved shirts and pants, especially when going out.
- Dispose of water from all places where it has been stagnant for long periods, such as water coolers, plates placed under plants, and any puddles being formed on the balcony.
Also, remember to immediately contact your doctor if you feel you have dengue symptoms.
Conclusion
Dengue is a dangerous illness; if you think that you are experiencing any of the dengue symptoms, don’t delay to meet with a specialist. Most people feel that they will be free from dengue if the fever subsides. However, the symptoms start after 4-10 days of the infection. Hence, they should undergo the right type of dengue fever treatment recommended by the expert.
