Dengue Fever and Symptoms
The virus that causes dengue is primarily spread by female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes biting humans. Dengue can show from non to serious flu-like symptoms.
Either a moderate dengue fever or a hemorrhagic fever is the outcome of dengue. Muscle and joint pain, as well as the development of rashes, are symptoms of mild dengue fever. If hemorrhagic fever is not treated, it can cause severe bleeding, a dramatic drop in blood pressure, and even death.
How Does Dengue Fever Spread?
Aedes mosquitos, which also spread diseases like Zika and chikungunya, spread dengue. An individual with dengue fever is bitten by a mosquito, which then bites another individual and transmits the disease.
Platelet Count in Dengue
Dengue fever can cause a drop in your white blood cell and platelet levels. A healthy person’s platelet count ranges from 1.5 to 4 lacs, whereas dengue patients’ counts might fall as low as 20,000 to 40,000. This occurs because:
- The dengue virus can impact your blood cells and harm your platelets.
- It can also harm your bone marrow, which is where your body produces platelets.
- Antibodies produced by dengue can kill platelets.
Dengue Symptoms
Early signs of dengue may include:
- Sudden and high fever
- Headaches
- Muscle and joint discomfort
- Pain behind the eyes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rash
These symptoms worsen in the presence of hemorrhagic fever and include:
- Fast breathing
- Gum bleeding
- Constant vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Severe Dengue Symptoms
Most people get better in about a week. In some cases, symptoms could worsen or even prove fatal. Severe dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever, or dengue shock syndrome are terms used to describe it.
With severe dengue, your blood vessels are compromised and start to leak. Additionally, the quantity of platelets in your blood decreases. Shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death may result from this.
Severe dengue fever is a life-threatening condition that can immediately show warning signs. The warning signs, which typically start within the first day or two after your fever has subsided, may include:
- Excruciating stomach pain
- Constant vomiting
- Bleeding from the nose or gums
- Blood in vomit, urine, or stool
- Bleeding under the skin that may resemble bruising
- Rapid or difficult breathing
- Weariness
- Restlessness
Warning Signs Of Dengue Fever
- Tenderness or soreness in the abdomen
- Constant vomiting
- Accumulation of fluid in the body
- Mucosal bleeding
- Laziness or agitation.
- A 2 cm or larger liver enlargement
- A laboratory result shows that the HCT is rising while the platelet count is rapidly dropping
Lab Diagnosis Of Dengue
Blood tests are frequently used to diagnose dengue because they might find different strains of the virus in your blood. Dengue is typically difficult to identify early due to its symptoms being similar to those of other illnesses like malaria.
You can get a laboratory diagnosis of dengue from any of the MMI laboratories in Karachi or MMI laboratories near you. You can find the dengue test price in Karachi here.
Dengue Treatment
Dengue cannot be treated directly. The first steps should be bed rest and a lot of fluid intake to prevent dehydration from vomiting.
- To treat mild symptoms, you must:
- Let your doctor know if you get dengue symptoms, especially if you intend to travel
- Sleep plenty
- If you experience pain and fever, see your doctor
- Keep hydrated enough by consuming lots of liquids. For best results, take electrolytes in addition
You may need supportive care at the hospital if you have a severe case of dengue fever, You will be checked for:
- Platelets count and transfusion if there has been blood loss
- Dehydration and restoration of electrolytes
- Monitoring of blood pressure
Is Dengue Fever Contagious?
Unlike the flu, which may be transmitted from one person to another, dengue fever cannot. Only a pregnant woman who contracts the disease can transmit dengue to her unborn child.