Dengue is fast emerging pandemic-prone viral disease
in many parts of the world. Dengue flourishes in
urban poor areas, suburbs and the countryside but
also affects more affluent neighborhoods in tropical
and subtropical countries. Dengue is a mosquito-
borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness
and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal
complication called severe dengue.
The dengue virus (DEN) comprises four distinct
serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4) which
belong to the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae.
Distinct genotypes have been identified within each
serotype, highlighting the extensive genetic variability
of the dengue serotypes.
The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the main vector that
transmits the viruses that cause dengue. The viruses
are passed on to humans through the bites of an
infective female Aedes mosquito, which mainly
acquires the virus while feeding on the blood of an
infected person.
Once infected, humans become the main carriers and
multipliers of the virus, serving as a source of the
virus for uninfected mosquitoes. The virus circulates
in the blood of an infected person for 2-7 days, at
approximately the same time that the person develops
a fever.
Symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after
infection and last for up to 10 days, may include
 Sudden, high fever
 Severe headaches
 Pain behind the eyes
 Severe joint and muscle pain
 Fatigue
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Skin rash, which appears two to five days after
the onset of fever
 Mild bleeding (such a nose bleed, bleeding
gums, or easy bruising)
Doctors can diagnose dengue infection with a blood
test to check for the virus or antibodies to it. If you
become sick after traveling to a tropical area, let your
doctor know. This will allow your doctor to evaluate
the possibility that your symptoms were caused by a
dengue infection.
There is no specific medicine to treat dengue
infection. If you think you may have dengue fever, you
should use pain relievers with acetaminophen and
avoid medicines with aspirin, which could worsen
bleeding. You should also rest, drink plenty of fluids,
and see your doctor. If you start to feel worse in the
first 24 hours after your fever goes down, you should
get to a hospital immediately to be checked for
complications.
The best way to prevent the disease is to prevent bites by
infected mosquitoes, particularly if you are living in or
traveling to a tropical area. This involves protecting
yourself and making efforts to keep the mosquito
population down. In 2019, the FDA approved
a vaccine called Dengvaxia to help prevent the disease
from occurring in adolescents aged 9 to 16 who have
already been infected by dengue. But, there currently is
no vaccine to prevent the general population from
contracting it.
To protect yourself:
 Use mosquito repellents, even indoors.
 When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and
long pants tucked into socks.
 When indoors, use air conditioning if
available.
 Make sure window and door screens are
secure and free of holes. If sleeping areas are
not screened or air conditioned, use mosquito
nets.
 If you have symptoms of dengue, speak to your
doctor.
To reduce the mosquito population, get rid of places
where mosquitoes can breed. These include old tires,
cans, or flower pots that collect rain. Regularly change
the water in outdoor bird baths and pets' water dishes.