Dengue fever
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
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.
Symptoms
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
Signs and tests
Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:
Antibody titer for dengue virus types
Complete blood count (CBC)
Serology studies to look for antibodies to dengue viruses
Treatment
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.
Expectations (prognosis)
The condition generally lasts a week or more. Although uncomfortable, dengue fever is not deadly. People with the condition should fully recover.
Complications
Febrile convulsions
Severe dehydration
Calling your health care provider
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.
Prevention
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.