The symptoms of dengue can be confused with other common illnesses such as flu, malaria, and chikungunya. However, dengue should be suspected if you develop a sudden onset of high-grade fever (40°C/104°F) along with rash, nausea, and body aches. According to the WHO, dengue can be categorized into three phases:
This phase usually lasts 2-7 days and is often accompanied by:
The fever usually decreases around the 3rd to 7th day of illness. This marks the beginning of the critical phase. It is followed by extreme fatigue, which can last for a few days to weeks. There could also be a rapid decrease in the platelet and leucocyte (white blood cell) count. In some cases, there can be severe organ impairment and internal bleeding.
Post-critical phase, there is an improvement in the condition of the patient within 48-72 hours. In this phase, there is an improvement in appetite and gastrointestinal symptoms. There might be a reappearance of skin rash during the recovery phase.
Note: In younger children, these symptoms are generally mild, but older kids and adults may have moderate to severe symptoms depending on the intensity of the infection.
As per the CDC, about 1 in 20 people who get sick with dengue may develop a severe form of the disease. After the first sign of dengue appears, it may take around 3-7 days for the disease to turn into a severe condition. This is the critical phase, which can even lead to a drop in temperature, indicating that special care is needed rather than recovery. The warning signs that indicate severe dengue are:
In case you suffer from any of these symptoms, it is advised to immediately get admitted to a hospital and follow your doctor’s suggestions without fail.
Dengue is a viral infection caused by the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus responsible for dengue is known as dengue virus (DENV), which belongs to the Flaviviridae family. There are four distinct types of dengue virus: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4.
When a mosquito infected with the dengue virus bites a healthy person, the virus spreads into the bloodstream, resulting in infection. The mosquito responsible for dengue can be identified by its characteristic black and white markings. It breeds in stagnant water and is most active during the early hours of the day. Infection with any one of the serotypes provides lifelong immunity to that specific strain.
You may be at a high risk of suffering from dengue if:
If a person is experiencing high fever, nausea, rash, and body ache, it is advisable to get a blood test done. In most cases, a complete blood count (including a platelet count) is recommended if your doctor suspects dengue. However, it is a nonspecific test because it does not confirm the presence of the dengue virus or detect the type of virus.
To detect the presence of the dengue virus in the blood, definitive tests are required, which include:
The best way to prevent dengue is to prevent mosquitoes in your immediate surroundings. To achieve this, you need to:
There is no specific treatment for dengue. The treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms. Most patients with dengue fever have mild illness and can be treated at home by following strict dietary guidelines and a course of medication. In cases of severe dengue, where the platelet count drops significantly (a condition known as thrombocytopenia), platelet transfusion is advised.
As dengue causes severe fatigue and high fever, ensure you rest as much as possible to give your body sufficient time to recover.
Antipyretic drugs like paracetamol can help reduce temperature and relieve body aches. Avoid drugs such as aspirin and other painkillers as they may increase the risk of bleeding or hemorrhage. Antibiotics are generally not required. Sponging the person with cool water can also help reduce fever.
Dehydration is a common complication of dengue due to water loss from fever, vomiting, and inadequate fluid intake. To prevent dehydration, ensure you stay hydrated by drinking fluids such as coconut water, buttermilk, fruit juices, lemon water, milk, and electrolyte drinks along with water. If you experience signs of severe dehydration, consult a doctor immediately to prevent complications.
The period after the fever starts to subside is critical. Some individuals may develop warning signs such as vomiting (at least three times in 24 hours), difficulty in breathing, bleeding from the nose or gums, and blood in vomit or stool within a day or two after the fever decreases. This occurs in approximately 1 in 20 people with dengue and may require hospitalization as it could be life-threatening. Be vigilant and monitor for warning signs. Severe dengue is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical care at a hospital.
Several home remedies are popular for treating dengue fever, as they are believed to increase platelet count:
Watch this video to know more about the tests, treatment, and what to eat and avoid in dengue.
Rarely, severe dengue can be complicated by organ damage and internal bleeding (dengue hemorrhagic fever). This results in a sudden drop in blood pressure, feeble pulse, hypovolemia, and eventually dengue shock syndrome.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has laid down criteria for the diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever. These are:
In the early stages, the platelet count is usually within the normal range, but the hemoglobin level may be high. If the hemoglobin level is raised (> 14 g/dL), a doctor should be consulted even if the platelet count is normal. The platelet count begins to fall once the fever starts to subside. Even when the platelet count is falling, there is no need to panic.
REMEMBER! There is no role for platelet transfusions in a patient who has no active bleeding. Do not insist on platelet transfusion in the absence of bleeding.