Dengue

What is Dengue?

Dengue fever is a disease caused by viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes

Causes:

Dengue fever is spread through the bite of mosquitoes that carry the virus. The virus cannot spread from person to person through casual contact. People who have dengue fever should be protected from mosquito bites. If a mosquito bites an infected person, the mosquito becomes infected with the virus and can pass it to other people.

Symptoms:

  • After being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, the incubation period ranges from three to 15 (usually five to eight) days before the signs and symptoms of dengue appear in stages.
  • Dengue starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache.
  • Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness.
  • The temperature rises quickly as high as 104 F (40 C), with relatively low heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure(hypotension).
  • The eyes become reddened. A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears.
  • The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.