Dengue

Introduction

Dengue is a flu-like viral disease Dengue is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of infected spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.mosquitoes.

Dengue is a severe, often fatal Dengue is a severe, often fatal complication of Dengue.complication of Dengue.

Also known as Breakbone Fever.Also known as Breakbone Fever.

It is caused by Aedes Agypti MosquitoIt is caused by Aedes Agypti Mosquito

Signs and SymptomsFever:Fever:

Sudden and abrupt onsetSudden and abrupt onset

May go up to 39.5-41.4 CMay go up to 39.5-41.4 C

Lasts for about 1- 7 days, then fades away for 1-2 Lasts for about 1- 7 days, then fades away for 1-2 daysdays

Headaches:Headaches:

Usually in the front portion of head or behind the Usually in the front portion of head or behind the eyes.eyes.

Rash:Rash:

Red and white patchy watchesRed and white patchy watches

Diagnosis

Positive tourniquet test-is tied to the Positive tourniquet test-is tied to the right arm and appearance of blood right arm and appearance of blood blotches beyond the tourniquet makes one blotches beyond the tourniquet makes one suspect the increased bleeding tendency suspect the increased bleeding tendency in a patient with Dengue Hemorrhagic in a patient with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.Fever.

Decreased platelet Decreased platelet count/thrombocytopenia- Platelets of count/thrombocytopenia- Platelets of less than 100000 cells or less should less than 100000 cells or less should make one suspect the condition.make one suspect the condition.

Diagnosis

Increase in hematocrit-by 20% should be Increase in hematocrit-by 20% should be cautioned one as to increased cautioned one as to increased concentration in blood due to rise in concentration in blood due to rise in the vascular permeability of the the vascular permeability of the plasma.plasma.

Prevention:

Mosquito control- primary prevention; Mosquito control- primary prevention; larval control and adult mosquito larval control and adult mosquito controlcontrol

Periodic draining or removal of Periodic draining or removal of containers is the most effective way of containers is the most effective way of reducing the breeding grounds for reducing the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. mosquitoes.

Treatment

No specific treatmentNo specific treatment

Rest and drink plenty of fluidsRest and drink plenty of fluids

Replacing lost fluidsReplacing lost fluids

Blood transfusionsBlood transfusions

Close monitoring of vital signsClose monitoring of vital signs

Value Statement

““The activist is not the man who says The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river.”- Ross man who cleans up the river.”- Ross PerotPerot