DENGUE: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION

 Overview

Dengue is a mosquito-borne tropical viral disease. It is caused due to infection with dengue virus. Every year about 400 million get infected from this disease. It is spread by mosquitoes. Most cases are seen in tropical regions of the world like Indian subcontinent, Africa, Mexico and so on.

Causes

Dengue fever is caused by four stains of dengue virus DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4. The virus is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. When the mosquito bites an infected person, the virus transfers to the mosquito. When this mosquito bites a healthy human, it transmits the virus into him, infecting him. 

It is a viral disease so a person can't be infected from the same strain again, but he can be infected from other strains. Dengue for the second time can be more dangerous than once.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease can be seen after 4 to 6 days after infection and can last for 10 to 12 days. The symptoms of dengue are given as follows.

1.High Fever, 104 F

2. Headache

3. Nausea

4. Vomiting

5. Rash

6. Muscle, joint or complete body pain

7. Fatigue

8. Bleeding gums or nose bleed

The symptoms of dengue can be mild and mistaken for flu sometimes. But sometimes more serious and dangerous situations may arise. It is known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. 

In Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever the person suffers extremely high fever, liver enlargement, rupturing of blood vessels and lymph nodes, bleeding of nose and gums and ultimately failure of circulatory system causing shock(dengue shock syndrome) and ultimately death. 

Treatment and Prevention

Dengue is caused by a virus, so a particular medicine cannot be used for treating it. Treating dengue means treating its symptoms and boosting the immune system so that it fights the disease. A person can use pain killers to subdue the pain and stay hydrated. If a person is suffering from dengue, medical help is necessary for him.

Dengue is spread by bite of mosquitoes. Its treatment is not available, but it can be prevented. There are things that you can do to prevent yourself from getting infected from the disease. Here are some steps you can follow.

1.Use mosquito repellents when you go out.

2. Wear full sleeve clothes to prevent mosquito bite.

3. Mosquitoes are most prevalent during sunrise and sunset, avoid going out that time, especially in the rainy season.

4. Mosquitoes need stagnant fresh water for laying eggs, so clean up every space that might accumulate water. 

Conclusion

Dengue can become a life threatening condition if not treated on time. If you see anyone having symptoms, take them to a doctor immediately. If you live with a person suffering from dengue, try to remove each and every mosquito from your place. Every life is precious and must protect ourselves and our loved ones from this disease.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and fit and Stay tuned for more.

Please Share and Leave a comment if you liked it, it'll make our day.

Thank you for reading this.