Dengue fever (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty

Dengue fever is a virus-based disease spread by mosquitoes.

Dengue fever begins with a sudden high fever, often as high as 104–105 degrees Fahrenheit. A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body 2–5 days after the fever starts. A second rash, which looks like the measles, appears later in the disease. Infected people may have increased skin sensitivity and are very uncomfortable.

Other symptoms include:

• Headache (especially behind the eyes)
• Fatigue
• Joint aches
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Vomiting

Dengue fever is caused by one of four different but related viruses. It is spread by the bite of mosquitoes, most commonly the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which is found in tropic and subtropic regions. This includes parts of:

• Indonesian archipelago into northeastern Australia
• South and Central America
• Southeast Asia
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Dengue fever is being seen more in world travelers.

Dengue fever should not be confused with dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is a separate disease that is caused by the same type of virus but has much more severe symptoms.

Living or traveling to a region of the world where the infection is endemic is a risk factor for the disease. These regions include:

• Indonesian archipelago into northeastern Australia
• South and Central America
• Southeast Asia
• Sub-Saharan Africa

The presence of water-holding containers in and around the home needed for the mosquito's to complete their development sustains the reservoir for disease and is a risk factor. Risk factors for severe disease include being a neonate or young child, female sex, high body mass index, a high viral load, genetic polymorphisms and previous infection with DENV-1 if the patient contracts the DENV-2 or DENV-3 strain. Diabetes and asthma are risk factors for fatal disease.

Call your health care provider if you have traveled in an area where dengue fever is known to occur and have developed symptoms of the disease.

Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:

• Antibody titer for dengue fever virus types
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Serology studies to look for antibodies to dengue fever viruses

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. You will need fluids if there are signs of dehydration. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is used to treat a high fever. Avoid taking aspirin.

• Influenza
• Measles
• Rubella
• Malaria
• Yellow fever

Directions to Hospitals Treating Dengue fever

The condition generally lasts a week or more. Although uncomfortable, dengue fever in most cases is not deadly. People with the condition should fully recover. Some people develop a more severe form of the disease which requires hospitalization.

Possible Complications include:

• Febrile convulsions
• Severe dehydration
• Bleeding including bleeding from the stomach which should be suspected if your stools are black and tarry
• Coma

Dengue can be life-threatening in people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma.

Clothing, mosquito repellent, and netting can help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Traveling during periods of minimal mosquito activity can also be helpful. Mosquito abatement programs may reduce the risk of infection.

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001374.htm
• http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-5/dengue-fever-dengue-hemorrhagic-fever.aspx