Dr. Tariq Jagnarine
Dengue fever is an infectious disease. It can cause high fevers, headaches, rashes, and pain throughout the body. Although dengue fever can be very painful, it’s not usually fatal. Most people who get it start feeling better after several days, and fully recover in a few weeks. Dengue fever is common in tropical and subtropical climates like Guyana.
When a mosquito bites a person who has dengue fever, the mosquito becomes infected with the virus that causes the disease. It can then spread the virus to other people by biting them.
Dengue fever is not contagious, so it can’t spread directly from person to person. Since different viruses can cause dengue fever, someone can get the disease more than once.
Signs & symptoms of Dengue fever
Dengue fever used to be called “breakbone fever,” which might give an idea of the severe bone and muscle pain it sometimes can cause. The fever isn’t breaking any bones, but it can sometimes feel like it is.
Symptoms of dengue fever usually appear 4 to 14 days after someone has been infected. Some people infected with the virus won’t have any symptoms. Others would have symptoms for 2 to 7 days before getting better. A person with dengue fever may notice:
• High fever
• Pain behind the eyes and in the joints, muscles, and/or bones
• Severe headache
• Rash
• Bleeding from the nose or gums
• Bruising easily
Some people can get a more serious form of the infection called dengue hemorrhagic fever. They’ll have the regular symptoms of dengue fever for 2 to 7 days. After the fever goes down, they may notice these additional symptoms:
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding
If dengue hemorrhagic fever is not treated right away, a person can have heavy bleeding and a drop in blood pressure, and could even die. People with dengue hemorrhagic fever need to be treated in a medical facility immediately.
When to call a doctor
If anyone thinks they or a family member might have dengue fever, they should call a doctor right away. A person should call a doctor if they have developed symptoms of the infection after going to a region where dengue fever is occurring.
A doctor (or nurse practitioner) will examine you. He or she will ask questions about how you’re feeling, a medical history, and any recent travels. Doctors might want you to give a blood sample to test for the disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with dengue, call your doctor or get to a hospital emergency room right away, if your symptoms get worse or if new symptoms appear, especially on the day the fever goes down, or on the next day.
Treatment
For mild cases, doctors usually recommend drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, getting lots of rest, and taking acetaminophen to relieve the fever and pain. People with dengue shouldn’t take medicines with aspirin or ibuprofen, which can make bleeding more likely.
Most cases of dengue fever will go away within a couple of weeks, and won’t cause any long-term problems. However, dengue hemorrhagic fever requires treatment in a hospital with intravenous (IV) fluids and close monitoring. That’s why it’s important to call a doctor or go to the ER if symptoms are severe or get worse in the first day or two after the fever goes away. (That’s when dengue hemorrhagic fever is most likely to develop.)
Prevention
The best way to protect from dengue fever is by avoiding mosquito bites. If you live in or plan to visit an area where there’s dengue fever:
• Use screens on doors and windows. Repair broken or damaged screens quickly. Keep unscreened doors and windows shut.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks when you go outside.
• Use mosquito netting over your bed at night.
• Use an insect repellent as directed. Choose one with DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Limit the time you spend outside during the day, especially during the hours around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
Don’t give mosquitoes any place to breed. They lay their eggs in water. So, get rid of standing water in things like wading pools and gutters. Change the water in birdbaths, dog bowls, and flower vases every few days. Because the infection is common in tropical and subtropical areas, take precautions when visiting those regions.
