Dengue Fever

Diseases transmitted through arthropods

Dengue Fever

Definition

A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and causing sudden fever and acute pains in the joints.

A severe form of dengue fever, also called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock) and death.

Causative organism

Causative agent of the disease is the Dengue virus,

Mode of transmission - Dengue fever is transmitted to humans through the bites of infective female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Incubation period - 3 to 14 days usually 4 to 7 days.

Clinical manifestations

Dengue Haemorrhagic fever

·  All symptoms of dengue viral fever.

·  Maculopapular

·  Scarlatine form or petechial rash appears on third day of illness

·  Head ache

·  Nausea, vomiting

·  Coffee colour vomiting

·  Abdominal pain

·  Pharyngitis

·  Cough and dyspepsia

Dengue shock syndrome

·  In addition to signs and symptoms of the above clinical feature client may go for shock.

·  Sudden collapse

·  Cold and clammy extremities

·  Weak thread pulse

·  Circumoral cyanosis along with haemorrhagic manifestation

·  Occasionally epistaxsis, haematemesis, malena or subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Control measures

·  Mosquito control

a.  Cover all water containers.

b.  Change water in flower vases every week.

c.  Clean the surrounding area of the house.

d.  Use insecticide spray in the house to kill adult mosquitoes.

·  Vaccines : So far there is no satisfactory vaccine and no immediate prospect of preventing the disease by immunization

Other measures

·  Isolation under bed rest

·  Wear full sleeves shirts and full pants.

·  Use of mosquito repellent creams, liquids, coils, mats etc.

·  Use of bed nets for sleeping infants and young children during day time to prevent mosquito bite.

Treatment

·  Bed rest is advisable during the acute febrile phase.

·  Antipyretics or sponging are required to keep the body temperature at 98.6 degree F

·  Oral fluid and electrolyte therapy is recommended for patients with excessive sweating,vomiting or diarrhea.

·  Analgesics or a mild sedative may be required for those with severe pain.

·  Home available fluids to be given to prevent dehydration,

·  Fluid replacement should be minimum volume that is sufficient to maintain effective circulation during the period of leakage.

·  Management of shock : Immediate replacement of plasma loss with isotonic salt solution.