Definition:
Dengue fever is defined as a disease involving four connected viruses being multiplied by a specific mosquito species. The fever ranges from severe to mild; mild dengue results to rash, joint and muscle pain, and high fever. Its severe forms can additionally result to sudden blood pressure drop, severe bleeding, and death.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosing dengue fever can be hard, as its symptoms may easily be mistaken with that of other diseases like typhoid fever and malaria. Diagnosis is based on medical history and blood tests.
Treatment:
There is no particular treatment for dengue fever. However, mild form of the fever is treated by drinking sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration due to high-fever and vomiting. Acetaminophen is also administered for fever and pain. Drugs that should be avoided include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin. Severe dengue fever will involve supportive care treatments in hospitals.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms typically start after four to seven days from the bite of a mosquito carrying the dengue virus. Symptoms may differ, depending on type of disease. The more severe signs usually start in the same manner as mild dengue type, and then worsen after a few days. Symptoms include up to 105 F high-fever, severe backache, severe, headaches, rash on almost all parts of the body, pain at the back of the eyes, severe muscle and joint pain, vomiting, and nausea.
Causes:
One of the four viruses of dengue carried by an Aedes aegypti mosquito causes Dengue fever. These mosquitoes survive near and in human environments, where they usually breed in waters.
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