Dengue is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the dengue virus and spread by the bite of Aedes mosquito. Hence it is a mosquito borne fever.
• Transmission :
The dengue virus is commonly spread by the Aedes mosquito, which is a nervous feeder( it bites repeatedly to more than one person to complete it’s meal) and hence chances of transmission is high.
• Symptoms :
The dengue fever have following symptoms :
- High fever ( often biphasic) – also called as break bone fever.
- Frontal headaches
- Muscles And joints pain .
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting
- Maculopapular rashes over chest and arms
- Enlargement of liver
- Decreased platelets count
In severe cases there will be hemorrhage, narrow pulse, restlessness, and may the person get into state of shock.
• Laboratory diagnosis/ Preferred test :
There are few test which is done for dengue investigation and it’s confirmation. Some of them are :-
- NS1 Antigen detection – ELISA or ICT are used for this antigen detection. This antigen is detected from day 1 of the fever and remains positive up to day 18. It is a highly specific test.
- ANTIBODY detection ( Ig G and Ig M) – Ig G antibody is detected in 14-21 day and then slowly increase. IgG levels increases in secondary infection and in chronic cases.
- Complete Blood Count ( CBC ) – for complete blood components and platelets analysis.
IgM antibody detection generally means acute or primary infection. Mac ELISA test is used to perform IgM antibody detection.
- Rapid diagnostic test – eg – ICT
- Real time rt-pcr.
- Genotype detection
- Viral isolation method.
• Treatment :
Dengue should be detected and treated immediately as it can be fatal if untreated.
As for now we doesn’t have any definitive treatment of dengue. We only give supportive treatment. Some of important steps are:-
- Blood platelets transfusion.
- Proper rest.
- Drink as much water to stay hydrated.
- Use of paracetamol to control fever.
Dengue spread is very common. So protective measures should be taken.
• Prevention :
There is development of vaccine for dengue virus is ongoing and once implemented it is of great use.
Till now following measure is taken care of:-
- Use of mosquito net.
- Spreading of insecticide to kill the mosquito
- Maintaining proper hygiene
- Larvae generally develop in stagnant water. So this type of water should be discarded and nearby water sources should be regularly cleaned.
- Person shouldn’t sleep on ground as there is high chances that the mosquito will attack the person.
So the protective measures is generally mosquito control method which should be implemented to prevent the Occurance of dengue.
• caution that should be taken care of :
- Avoid use of any unwanted drugs/ antibiotics without doctors advice.
- Patient should be monitored regularly.
- Platelet count should be monitored regularly. ( generally at the interval of 1-2 days )
– Kshitiz ( MBBS & Author, MCD )
