Dengue Fever: Introduction, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease that affects millions of people worldwide every year. The virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito. Its symptoms are mild in the beginning, but gradually these symptoms become severe, which can also be fatal. Here we will discuss about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of dengue fever.

Symptoms of Dengue fever

Dengue symptoms may appear between 3-14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Initially its symptoms are mild which gradually become severe. These symptoms include -

1. high fever (up to 105°F)
2. Headache
3. joint and muscle pain
4. nausea and vomiting
5. rash
6. pain behind eyes
7. Tiredness

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If these symptoms are not taken care of in time, then these symptoms can be serious and can be fatal at times. In severe cases, dengue fever can also lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and can be fatal. Symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) include:

1. Severe abdominal pain
2. frequent vomiting
3. bleeding nose or gums
4. blood in the urine, stool, or vomit
5. rapid breathing
6. cold or clammy skin
7. fatigue or restlessness

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

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Treatment of dengue fever

There is no specific medicine for dengue fever as of now, but identifying its early symptoms and treating them immediately can save the patient. Its treatment may include the following things:

1. rest and plenty of fluids
2. pain relievers to reduce fever and joint pain
3. giving intravenous fluids in severe cases
4. blood transfusion in severe cases

Medicines that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, should be avoided.

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Prevention of dengue fever

To prevent dengue fever, we should avoid mosquito bites. Along with this, mosquitoes should also be prevented from growing. By the way, there are many ways to avoid dengue, some of which are as follows -

1. Use mosquito repellent containing DEET
2. Keep exposed skin covered. wear long sleeves
3. Mosquito net should be used while sleeping.
4. Water stored in buckets, flower pots and other containers that can breed mosquitoes should be removed.
5. Doors and windows should be kept closed or screens should be used on the windows.

If precautions are not taken, dengue can be a dangerous disease with serious consequences. If you feel any symptoms of dengue, you should contact the doctor immediately.

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