| disease | Dengue Fever |
| summary | Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. It can range from a mild, flu-like illness to a severe, life-threatening condition called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Characterized by high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash, the severity depends on the serotype of the virus and the individual's immune response. |
| name | Dengue Fever |
| type | Viral infection |
| classification | Arboviral disease (arthropod-borne virus) |
| symptoms | | 1 | High fever (often sudden onset) | | 2 | Severe headache | | 3 | Muscle and joint pain (often described as 'breakbone fever') | | 4 | Nausea and vomiting | | 5 | Loss of appetite | | 6 | Fatigue | | 7 | Skin rash (often appearing several days after fever onset) | | 8 | Bleeding from gums or nose | | 9 | Severe abdominal pain | | 10 | Increased thirst |
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| signs | | 1 | Fever | | 2 | Petechiae or purpura (small red or purple spots on skin) | | 3 | Increased heart rate | | 4 | Low blood pressure (hypotension) | | 5 | Lethargy | | 6 | Bleeding manifestations (epistaxis, gum bleeding, petechiae) | | 7 | Hemorrhagic manifestations (in DHF/DSS) |
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| causes | Infection with one of four serotypes of the dengue virus. |
| detailed etiology pathogenesis | Aedes mosquitoes transmit the dengue virus. The virus replicates in the mosquito's salivary glands. When the mosquito bites a human, the virus enters the bloodstream. The virus then replicates in various tissues, particularly the lymphatic system and the liver. The immune response to the virus is complex and can lead to inflammation and vascular leakage in more severe forms of dengue, such as DHF and DSS. It involves multiple factors like cytokine production, vascular permeability, and platelet activation. |
| investigations | | 1 | Complete blood count (CBC) - looking for thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) | | 2 | Blood tests for liver enzymes (AST, ALT) | | 3 | Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels | | 4 | Serum electrolytes | | 5 | Urine analysis | | 6 | Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for dengue virus | | 7 | Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for dengue virus | | 8 | Dengue serology (ELISA) | | 9 | Ultrasound or other imaging for organ involvement (in severe cases) |
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| treatment options | | 1 | Supportive care (rest, hydration, pain management) | | 2 | Avoidance of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) due to potential for bleeding risk | | 3 | Careful monitoring for signs of DHF/DSS | | 4 | Blood transfusions if needed for severe cases. | | 5 | Oxygen support in severe cases |
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| differentials | | 1 | Malaria | | 2 | Typhoid fever | | 3 | Chikungunya | | 4 | Influenza | | 5 | Other viral hemorrhagic fevers | | 6 | Bacterial infections |
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| prevention | | 1 | Mosquito control measures (removal of stagnant water, use of mosquito nets, mosquito repellents) | | 2 | Vector control measures by public health authorities (mosquito spraying) | | 3 | Early diagnosis and management of mild dengue cases | | 4 | Personal protection measures (long sleeves, pants, use of mosquito repellant) |
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| prognosis | Most cases of dengue fever are mild and resolve spontaneously. However, DHF/DSS can be life-threatening if not managed promptly. With proper supportive care, most patients recover. |
| other important details | | 1 | Pre-existing medical conditions might increase the risk of severe dengue or complications | | 2 | High fever in the context of travel history to endemic areas should prompt evaluation for dengue | | 3 | Reporting to public health officials is important to track incidence for control and prevention measures |
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