Dengue is a viral disease. It is caused by any one or more of the four Dengue viruses. These viruses dwell inside the body of a mosquito. A human being suffers from dengue when a mosquito that is carrying the virus bites him.
Symptoms Of Dengue
- The symptoms begin 4 to 10 days after being bitten by the infected mosquito.
- Like all viral fevers, fever with body ache and weakness is seen in dengue too.
- The fever may be as high as 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Muscle and joint pain are the hallmark of dengue.
- Pain behind the eyes, rash all over the body, nausea, and vomiting are the other symptoms observed.
Recovery from Dengue
Dengue is a self-limiting disease and most people recover within a week or so of the infection.
Worsening of symptoms
In some cases, the symptoms worsen and the disease becomes life-threatening. This is because dengue affects the blood platelets.
Role of Platelets
Platelets are blood cells responsible for clotting of the blood.
Normal platelet count is 150,000 to 400,000 platelets per microlitre. In dengue, the levels gradually fall until a danger level of less than 50,000 is reached.
Results of Low Platelet Count
Low platelet count can cause bleeding inside the body, or rather, there would be no clotting of the blood.
This causes the blood to become less thick and flow freely through all tissues. The consequent bleeding appears over the skin as petechial hemorrhages.
Bleeding into the lungs and other major organs may prove fatal.
The blood pressure may also drop to very low levels, leading to hypovolemic shock.
Risk Factors for Developing Dengue
Travelling to or living in tropical areas where dengue is endemic increases your chances of being infected.
When you are infected with the dengue virus a second time, the chances of developing serious complications are higher.
Diagnosing Dengue
Diagnosis is usually made based on the signs and symptoms and upon detailed medical history.
Symptoms of dengue are often undistinguishable from other viral diseases. Laboratory tests help in diagnosing dengue, but the results take time and doctors may consider it wiser to start treatment based on the symptoms alone.
Low platelet counts also point towards dengue, but this test also proves what is already suspected.
Treating Dengue
There is no specific treatment. Drugs are given to help control the symptoms like fever, rash, vomiting, etc.
Drinking lots of fluids is advised to combat the dehydration due to fever and vomiting. In severe cases, one may need hospitalization to introduce IV (intravenous) fluids.
Monitoring BP and keeping a track of the platelet count is vital. A blood transfusion is advised for patients with falling platelet levels.
