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Human Viral Diseases:

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Dengue

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Amy Reyes
Lamar High School
4th Period
2nd six week Research Paper.

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 Amy Reyes
Dengue

Have you ever wondered what dangerous diseases might be near you? Your neighborhood?
Your city? Dengue Fever might be
one of them. Every year about 50
million people get infected with
dengue worldwide which would be
about two fifths of the world
population. Dengue is one of the
most common dangerous diseases
in the Americas.

The Dengue virus causes two

Figure 1 Dengue 2, mosquito feeding on human blood. types of dengue diseases:
dengue fever (DF) and dengue
hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Dengue virus infections are caused by four antigenically distinct
dengue virus serotypes namely DEN1, DEN2, DEN3 and DEN4; these are the most important
arboviral diseases in human both in terms of mortality and morbidity. [2] The Dengue virus
(DEN) is encircled by a lipid bilayer membrane and a protein layer. Within the membrane and
the protein layer, a protein capsid is found full of RNA. To release its RNA into a host cell, the
virus first attaches to the cell then it penetrates the cell. After gaining access to the host cell, a
clathrin-coated vesicle formed during the penetration process quickly loses its coat. ATP inside
the host cell activates a proton pump at the endosome (also created during penetration)
membrane, flooding the inside of the endosome with protons. This routine lowers pH which
causes the viral proteins to change their arrangement of dimers into trimers. One end of the
trimers stand upright pinching the endosome membrane, folding back on themselves then fusing
the endosome membrane with the now-exposed viral membrane, forming a fusion pore which
permits the viral contents to empty into the host cell’s cytoplasm. Then the ARN infects the
ribosomes which begin to synthesis new viral proteins and begin the whole process again. [3]
 Amy Reyes
Dengue

DEN is often carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which becomes infected by feeding on
the blood of a dengue-infected person. When a dengue-infected mosquito feeds on a person it
injects saliva as well as DEN infecting the person with it. Direct person-to-person transmission
has not been documented; however, it can be transmitted by blood contact. Dengue infections
have been reported in many countries and it is spreading quickly around the world, mostly in
tropical countries, which is the mosquito’s favorite habitat. [1]

Dengue is mostly asymptomatic; however, there are symptomatic cases. In the symptomatic
dengue, after about 3-7 days of incubation, some symptoms start to show. These may include
headache, retro-orbital pain, muscle or joint pain, rash, hemorrhagic manifestation, or
leucopenia. Rash usually appears after the fever and might last 2-4 days. Other symptoms
include flushed facies usually during the first 24-48 hours, nausea and vomiting. DHF might
develop after fever subsides. [1]

Diagnosis of dengue is done by identification of DENV from serum or autopsy tissue

samples; or dengue viral antigen identification. A person should start suspecting dengue as soon
as s/he shows the fist symptoms of dengue and immediately go to the doctor who will give
her/him a treatment. The treatment of dengue consists of bed rest, control of fever with
acetaminophen, and narcotics for severe pain. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs should be
avoided due to their anticoagulant properties. Patients should watch for warning signs of DHF as
fever declines. [1]

Neither vaccine nor drugs for preventing infection are available. [1] However, dengue can be
prevented by exterminating Aedes mosquitoes which can be done by carrying out fumigation
programs and destroying mosquitoes’ breeding sites such as standing water. There are also ways
to protect one from mosquitoes, some of them are: use insect repellent, especially at night; wear
skin covering clothes, and use a screen to cover the bed.

Dengue infection is endemic [2] and it can be very dangerous if it develops into DHF. Dengue
is one of the leading causes of death in the Americas mostly around rainy areas; hence it is
advised to always be protected if living or traveling to a tropical area, especially around rain
season.
 Amy Reyes
Dengue

Bibliography:
1.
Centers for Decease Control and Prevention. (2009). Tomashek, K. M. Dengue Fever
(DF) and Dengue hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). Retrieved from
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-5/dengue-fever-dengue-
hemorrhagic-fever.aspx
2.
Kurukumbi M, Wali JP, Broor S, Aggarwal P, Seth P, Handa R, Dhar L, Vajapayee M.
Seroepidemiology and active surveillance of dengue fever/dengue haemorrhagic fever
in Delhi. Indian J Med Sci [serial online] 2001 Retrieved 2010 Oct 30; 55:149-56.
from: http://www.indianjmedsci.org/text.asp?2001/55/3/149/12085
3.
Teachers' Domain, Dengue Virus Invades a Cell, published April 28, 2008 Retrieved
from http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/den08.sci.life.stru.dengue/

Figure 1. Dengue 2 [photograph]. Retrieved from http://letstayhealthy.net/2010/07/how-

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