As a traveler who got infected and suffered from Dengue fever twice already, I got curious about the details of this horrible disease. Thought this fever, for the most part, is not deadly, while being ill, I wished it was.
There are not words to describe the pain associated with the Dengue fever during the illness period. The effect of it stays with you for weeks post the sever times. In addition, I had heard that if you get 3 times, the 3rd time is very serious and even fatal. I am sure if this is just myth or true. I rather not know.
So here is what I had found about these terrible, any backpacker nightmare, Dengue Fever.
The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying Dengue virus and the start of symptoms averages 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14 days. An infected person cannot spread the infection to other persons but can be a source of Dengue virus for mosquitoes for about 6 days.
How is Dengue diagnosed?
Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test. In many cases, it is very difficult to find a solid proof of dengue in the blood during blood work since the virus tends to hide.
Who is at risk for Dengue?
Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get Dengue fever. Risk factors for Dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected with one or more types of Dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for developing Dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.
What is the treatment for Dengue and Dengue hemorrhagic fever?
There is no specific treatment for Dengue. Persons with Dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by replacing lost fluids. Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.
How common is Dengue?
In tropical countries around the world, Dengue is one of the most common viral diseases spread to humans by mosquitoes. Tens of millions of cases of Dengue fever and up to hundreds of thousands of cases of Dengue hemorrhagic fever occur each year.
In the United States, approximately 100 cases of Dengue are reported each year in travelers returning from tropical areas. Many more cases probably go unreported. A few persons have become infected with Dengue while living in the United States. Aedes mosquitoes are found in Texas, Florida, and other southern states, and locally acquired dengue has been reported three times since 1980 in southern Texas.
Is Dengue an emerging infectious disease?
Yes. All types of Dengue virus are re-emerging worldwide and causing larger and more frequent epidemics, especially in cities in the tropics. The emergence of Dengue as a major public health problem has been most dramatic in the western hemisphere. Dengue fever has reached epidemic levels in Central America and is threatening the United States.
Several factors are contributing to the resurgence of Dengue fever:
- No effective mosquito control efforts are underway in most countries with Dengue.
- Public health systems to detect and control epidemics are deteriorating around the world.
- Rapid growth of cities in tropical countries has led to overcrowding, urban decay, and substandard sanitation, allowing more mosquitoes to live closer to more people.
- The increase in non-biodegradable plastic packaging and discarded tires is creating new breeding sites for mosquitoes.
- Increased jet air travel is helping people infected with Dengue viruses to move easily from city to city.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also on the rise. Persons who have been infected with one or more forms of Dengue virus are at greater risk for the more severe disease. With the increase in all types of virus, the occurrence of Dengue hemorrhagic fever becomes more likely.
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (ill Man)
Image courtesy of SweetCrisis at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (Mosquito In Nature)
0 comments:
Post a Comment