Dengue

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Dengue fever

Dengue Fever

About Dengue

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the Dengue virus. In this case, the dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes – Aedes aegypti. These dengue mosquitos generally bite during the daytime and are found everywhere (Both inside and outside the house). These mosquitos are found to be at the peak of their activeness at dawn and dusk. The symptoms can develop only after 6 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitos which carry the dengue virus, which has four varied serotypes to infect human beings. The serotypes mentioned above denote a set of microorganisms that are exceptionally closely associated. These microorganisms can only be distinguished due to them having somewhat dissimilar antigens (the alien unit that affects the body and makes us produce antibodies) which prompt the body to create some dissimilar antibodies. Dengue cases are more common in subtropical and tropical regions of our planet, including our country.

Dengue Life Cycle

Following its departure from sylvatic cycles, the dengue virus has spread worldwide, and its primary lifecycle now only involves transmission between people and Aedes mosquitoes. The four life stages of the Aedes aegypti mosquito are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. About 8 to 10 days are needed to complete the life cycle from egg to adult. Mosquitoes can survive and breed both inside and outside the house.

Eggs

  • Above the waterline, adult female mosquitoes lay their eggs on the interior, wet walls of water-filled containers.
  • Usually, mosquitoes lay a hundred eggs at a time.
  • Eggs are highly resilient; they can withstand drying up to eight months and adhere to container walls like glue.
  • A female mosquito can be attracted to very little water. Any object storing water, including cups, bowls, fountains, barrels, tires, vases, and other containers, makes an excellent “nursery.”

Larva

  • Mosquito eggs hatch into larvae only once the water level rises enough to cover the eggs. Humans or rains will cause the larvae to emerge from containers containing eggs.
  • Larvae consume aquatic bacteria as food. The larva develops into a pupa after going through three moults.

Pupa

Pupae continue to grow until the newly formed adult flying mosquito’s body breaks through the pupal skin and exits the water.

Adult

  • The adult female mosquito feeds on human and animal blood to generate eggs, while the male mosquito feeds on nectar from flowers.
  • Female mosquitoes search for water sources to lay additional eggs after feeding.
  • Throughout its lifespan, Aedes aegypti flies only a few blocks.
  • Aedes aegypti mosquitoes prefer to attack humans above other mosquito species.
  • Mosquitoes of the Aedes aegypti species favour areas with humans. They can be found inside residences, buildings, and workplaces when windows and doors lack screens or are left open.

Sign and Symptoms of Dengue Fever

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

Dengue has an unexpected attack, viz. a sudden start and these symptoms could be an indicator of its onset.

  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhoea and vomiting
  • Gum and nose bleedings
  • Severe joint and muscle pain
  • Fatigue, nausea, and vomiting
  • A sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Multiple rashes and wounds on the skin
  • Pain behind the eyes coupled with extreme headaches
  • The patient might feel weak with a high fever for 3-7 days

Diagnosis of Dengue Fever

The presence of the Dengue virus in the blood cells can be diagnosed by isolation of the virus, testing serum samples, and other molecular methods. A patient with this syndrome is allowed to have a few blood tests to check the total count of red blood cells, and blood platelets, and other physical examinations conducted by the physician to evaluate whether the symptoms are caused by a dengue infection.

Treatment of Dengue Fever

Treatment for Dengue Fever 

Till today, there is no definite treatments or specific medicine to treat dengue infection. In general, the doctor may generally recommend regulating the pain and fever by using paracetamol instead of aspirin (as it might stimulate bleeding) and increasing fluid ingestion. Children below the age of 12 should not be given aspirin until and unless specially prescribed by the doctor.

In severe cases, blood transfusions, intravenous (IV) fluid supplementation and 24 hours hospitalization are required.

Prevention of Dengue Fever

Prevention of Dengue Fever

The patient should take proper bed rest, especially during the days when the fever is at its peak and take leave from work, school preschool or childcare.

People suffering from dengue must stay away from places where they could get bitten by mosquitoes and should stay at home until they are no longer infectious (around 3-5 days).

For avoiding this illness, make sure your surroundings are free of any water logging issues, as the Aedes mosquito prefers to breed in stagnant clean water that could be found easily nearby our habitats.

Until now, no vaccine has been developed to prevent the Dengue virus. The only prevention is to avoid mosquito bites.

  1.  Cover your skin by wearing long pants, and long-sleeved shirts.
  2. Use of mosquito repellents, traps, and nets.
  3. Keep all the doors and windows closed especially at dawn, dusk, and early evening to avoid the entry of Dengue mosquitoes.
  4. Keep your surroundings clean by removing all the waste and cleaning the standing water.

For more detailed information about Dengue fever, visit BYJU’S.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

Name the insect which carries the dengue virus.

Aedes aegypti is the mosquito name that can spread dengue fever. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax.
Q2

Name the pathogen which causes dengue.

Dengue virus is the cause of dengue fever. It is a mosquito-borne, single positive-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus.
Q3

Give the name of the dengue virus.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the name of the virus that causes dengue. Four infections with the four DENV serotypes are possible. In Latin American and Asian nations, severe dengue is a primary cause of critical illness and fatalities.
Q4

Give scientific name of vector of dengue.

The yellow fever mosquito, or Aedes aegypti, is a vector of several diseases, including the viruses that cause dengue fever, Zika, chikungunya, and the Mayaro and yellow fevers. A lyre-shaped marking on the upper surface of the mosquito’s thorax and black and white patterns on its legs make the insect easy to identify.
Q5

What is the symptom that distinguishes dengue from other mosquito-borne diseases?

Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue have common symptoms such as high fever, headache, body ache and sore throat. Low platelet count is one symptom that is specific to dengue and this distinguishes it from other diseases.
Q6

How can we control the spread of malaria and dengue?

Water is where all mosquitoes breed. Therefore, we can stop mosquitoes from breeding by keeping the environment dry and clean. Water should not be allowed to accumulate in containers like flower pots or coolers. In the evening and at night, we should wear full-sleeved clothes. Additionally, mosquito netting and insect repellent treatments are available.
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