Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash. While many infected have no symptoms, those who do experience symptoms typically have a sudden onset of fever lasting 3-7 days. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, but resting and drinking plenty of fluids can help relieve symptoms. A rare, severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever can be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment. Prevention focuses on eliminating mosquito breeding sites and protecting against mosquito bites with clothing, repellents, and nets.

1. Dengue

2. Symptoms
of dengue
Many people with dengue have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they typically
include:
sudden onset of fever (lasting 3 to 7 days);
intense headache and pain behind the eyes;
muscle and joint pain - particularly affecting the ankles, knees and elbows;
loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea;
a metallic taste in the mouth;
skin rash;
minor bleeding from the nose and gums; and
extreme fatigue.
Dengue fever usually affects older children and adults. Symptoms develop within 3
to 14 days of being bitten by the infecting mosquito.
Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person. However, if a mosquito
bites a person with dengue, it can pick up the virus and transmit it to other people.

3. Diagnosis
and
treatment
of dengue
There is no specific treatment
for dengue fever. Non-specific
treatments include:
rest; use insect repellent so you don’t
spread the disease;
drink plenty of fluids; and take paracetamol to control
fever and pain (you should not
take aspirin or non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medicines as
they increase the risk of
bleeding).

4. Dengue
haemorrhagic
fever
Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a rare, severe -
sometimes fatal - form of dengue fever, which
is most often seen in children under 15 years.
Initially it presents in the same way as classical
dengue fever, but after a few days there is rapid
deterioration and collapse.
In dengue haemorrhagic fever, large bruises
often appear on the skin and there can be
bleeding from the nose, gums or bowel. Urgent
treatment is needed.

5. Prevention
There is no vaccine to
prevent dengue.
In areas where dengue-
carrying mosquitoes are
endemic, prevention
includes protecting
yourself against being
bitten as well as getting
rid of potential
mosquito breeding
sites.
To protect against
mosquito bites:
Wear light-coloured
clothing that covers as
much of the body as
possible, especially
around dawn and dusk
when mosquitoes are
usually most active.
However, note that
dengue mosquitoes can
bite at any time.
Kill dengue mosquitoes
indoors with surface
insecticide. (Dengue
mosquitoes typically
hide in dark places in
and under the house.)
Use insect repellents
containing either
DEET or picaridin.
(DEET should not be
left on the skin
overnight, and if the
DEET concentration
exceeds 20 per cent it
should not be used on
infants.)
Use insect screens and
mosquito nets.

6. • Dengue-carrying mosquitoes generally breed
in stagnant water found in man-made
containers (such as discarded tyres, uncovered
barrels, buckets and blocked roof gutters),
rather than in rivers, swamps, open drains,
creeks or mangroves. To eliminate breeding
sites, empty any containers that are holding
water in and around your home or travel
accommodation.

7. •The End
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