Last updated on : 27 Sep, 2024
Read time : 8 min
Dengue manifests without symptoms most of the time, which makes it challenging to detect. When the symptoms appear, it’s crucial to identify and differentiate them as mild or severe. This will ensure the appropriate treatment is done accordingly. Mild symptoms of Dengue are often confused with other illnesses that cause fever, aches, and pain or as Dengue rash.
The Dengue situation in India, as per a report about the Dengue situation from the National Centre for Vector-borne Disease Control in 2023, had 94198 cases and 91 deaths.
On a global level, From 2023, more than 5 million cases and 5,000 deaths were reported in 80 countries; this is a spike in number of cases when compared to earlier times.
In general, up to 400 million people get infected with Dengue. Approximately 100 million people get sick from Dengue, and 40,000 die from severe Dengue.
There is no specific treatment for Dengue; only painkillers are used. Or there are many home remedies for Dengue. In severe cases, Dengue can be life-threatening.
The Dengue risk can be lowered by avoiding mosquito bites, especially during the day.
This article will explain the early signs of Dengue how it manifests in mild-severe conditions and children or adults.
Dengue is a viral infection caused by the Dengue virus transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates in urban and semi-urban regions.
The Dengue is caused by 1 of 4 different but related viruses. It spreads with the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, primarily found in tropic and subtropical climates. These regions include
The early phase of Dengue typically begins after 5-7 days of mosquito bite. This is followed by three phases: Dengue Fever, Mild Dengue & Severe Dengue, The first or early phase being the febrile phase.
Dengue, in its mild form, causes fever and rash and can last up to a week. Dengue fever begins with a sudden high fever up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit after 4-7 days after infection. A flat red rash all over the body may appear in 2-5 days after fever starts. A second rash, like measles, appears in the later stage of the disease. Infected people have increased skin sensitivity.
Once the early signs of Dengue appear, symptoms will follow. As said earlier, the symptoms are not apparent in most cases. Whenever there are mild or no symptoms, it will get better in 1-2 weeks.
When the symptoms of mild Dengue do not improve, it leads to severe Dengue. The symptoms appear only after fever reduction.
Severe Dengue is more common in individuals infected with Dengue for the second time. People with severe symptoms require emergency or hospital care. The effect of Dengue infection after recovery is weakness for several weeks.
Dengue may be of two kinds either symptomatic or asymptomatic. It is often asymptomatic; therefore, it’s a challenging scenario. The Dengue symptoms in children and adults are slightly different.
The symptoms of Dengue in Children will last 2-7 days after the mosquito bite, and if it is mild-moderate Dengue then it will be cured in 1-2 weeks. The Dengue symptoms in a child are as follows;
Children suffering from Dengue may become more irritable, where sleep patterns and appetite may change. Dengue can look very similar to the chikungunya and malaria. It is very easily misdiagnosed as other diseases. The only way to be sure of Dengue is to get a laboratory test done.
The most common symptom of Dengue in adults is fever. It may associated with the below signs like;
Warning signs of Dengue in adults appear once after the fever is gone, i.e., after 24-48 hours. Visit the nearest doctor when you see these below symptoms of Dengue in adults:
The doctors can diagnose the Dengue infection by a blood test. The blood test reveals the presence of a virus or the antibodies to it. The people who are getting the Dengue for the second time are at more risk of severe Dengue than the people who got it for the first time.
Most cases of Dengue can be treated at home with pain medicine. While there is no specific treatment for Dengue, using a home remedy for dengue can help provide pain relief.
Paracetamol is used to control the pain. NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen, and aspirin should be avoided as they tend to increase bleeding.
For people with severe Dengue, emergency care or hospitalization is required.
The mosquito bite is responsible for Dengue. These mosquitos are active during the daytime. Follow the below precautions to protect yourself from the mosquitos bite to control Dengue;
In case, you get infected with Dengue, then you can take these precautions;
Dengue vaccine – “Dengvaxia” is recommended for those infected with the Dengue once in some countries.
No, Dengue is not a contagious disease. It is caused by a virus and cannot be passed from one person to another. It spreads through the mosquito bite.
Foods rich in lean protein and low carbohydrate are considered good foods during Dengue infection. A diet rich in vitamin C(oranges, papaya), vitamin K(sprouts, broccoli), vitamin D( salmon fish, cod liver oil), vitamin E( wheat germ oil, almonds), iron(beans and cereals), and zinc(beans and nuts) is recommended.
Severe cases of Dengue can cause death. Pregnant women and young children are at higher risk of death due to Dengue. 1 in 20 people have the risk of developing severe Dengue.
Yes, a person can get Dengue twice, as there are four different variants of the Dengue virus. When infected with one variant, only specific antibodies of that particular variant are developed inside the body. When the person is affected by the other three variants, the antibodies produced earlier will not have any effect, and the person will be at high risk of severe Dengue.
References
Disclaimer
Our healthcare experts have carefully reviewed and compiled the information presented here to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness. It is important to note that this information serves as a general overview of the topic and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or cure any health problem. This page does not establish a doctor-patient relationship, nor does it replace the advice or consultation of a registered medical practitioner. We recommend seeking guidance from your registered medical practitioner for any questions or concerns regarding your medical condition.
...View more
...View more
Subscribe
Claim your complimentary health and fitness tips subscription and stay updated on our newest promotions.
Download Truemeds
Manage your health with ease Download Truemeds today!Get easy access to medicine refills, health information, and more. With our app, you'll never have to wait in line again. Download now and start taking control of your health.
Contact Us
Our customer representative team is available 7 days a week from 9 am - 9 pm.
v3.4.18
Our Payment Partners