Dengue – Causes, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

Transmission and Causes of Dengue Fever:

Dengue is a hemorrhagic fever transmitted by mosquitoes and it spreads rapidly and decreases the blood platelet number which in turn prevents blood clotting.

Dengue fever is caused due to the virus injected into the body by the bite of a mosquito named – ‘aedes aegypti‘. This mosquito bites in the morning and they grow in stagnant water. So care should be taken to prevent its growth by preventing storing of water for more days and thus avoiding its bite and growth in the surroundings.

One needs to be aware of what Blood Platelets are especially when there is Dengue around.

Platelets are part of blood in addition to red blood cells and white blood cells. They help in blood clotting and prevent blood loss from the body during injuries. Platelets cells are about 1.5-4.5 lakhs in normal individuals. If the platelets are reduced to a very low number, then they cause excessive blood flow and blood coagulation is reduced.

Indications for bleeding

Small spots of blood may be observed on the skin.

• If the skin reddens due to a normal blow.
• If bleeding occurs continuously due to small wound.

Don’t neglect if any of the above conditions are observed.

Types of Dengue fevers

Though Dengue is one, based on its intensity it is of three types.

1. Normal Dengue: It is similar to other viral fevers and the temperature will be102-103 degrees. The fever decreses after two days and again it comes after one day’s gap or after few hours. Body pains will be felt and the fever lasts for seven days and it gets cured after the same number of days. Treatment is by taking analgesics (painkillers) and by taking rest. B Complex tablets are given to the patients.
2. Hemorrhagic Dengue: It is more intense than normal dengue. After three days of fever, the blood spots will appear on skin. BP may be lower and the person affected may feel weak. Treatment should be taken under doctor supervision. Saline may be needed some times. Tests like hematocrit test and platelet count should be performed.
3. Dengue Shock Syndrome: It is a very intense type of Dengue. The skin gets reddened and blood marks are increased. The Blood Pressure gets lowered and water may get accumulated in lungs and stomach. Inflammation occurs in the legs. The blood platelets gets much lowered. The patients should be treated in the hospitals. These patients may require platelets. If neglected, it may lead to death of patients and if treated properly they will recover.

Tests for Dengue

1. Hematocrit Test: It is the proportion of blood volume occupied by red blood cells. The result should be between 35 and 42. If it is more blood loss may occur.
2. Hess test: In this test, spygmomanometer is tied to hand at 100mm Hg for 5 minutes. Blood spots are seen at the elbow, if the spots are more than 20 blood loss may occur.
3. Dengue Antibody Test: It is a confirmatory test.