Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is common in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It is estimated that 390 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million (25%) resulting in symptomatic disease. Dengue can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild fever and headache to severe bleeding and organ failure.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Dengue
The early signs and symptoms of dengue can be similar to those of other viral infections, such as the flu. These symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Rash
In most cases, these early symptoms will improve within a few days. However, in some cases, dengue can progress to a more severe form of the disease called severe dengue.
Severe Dengue
Severe dengue is a potentially life-threatening complication of dengue infection. It can occur in about 1% of cases and is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Bleeding from the nose, gums, or skin
- Liver failure
- Kidney failure
- Respiratory failure
How to Know if You Have Dengue
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately:
- Fever that lasts for more than 2 days
- Severe headache
- Muscle and joint pain that is so severe that it makes it difficult to walk or move
- Nausea and vomiting that prevents you from keeping food or liquids down
- A rash that appears on your skin after you have had a fever for 2-3 days
- Bleeding from the nose, gums, or skin
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
Treatment for Dengue
There is no specific treatment for dengue. Treatment is supportive and旨在缓解症状并防止并发症。治疗可能包括：
- Rest
- Fluids
- Pain relievers
- Anti-nausea medications
- Blood transfusions (in cases of severe bleeding)
Prevention of Dengue
The best way to prevent dengue is to avoid mosquito bites. This can be done by:
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when you are in areas where mosquitoes are common
- Using insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or IR3535
- Staying in air-conditioned rooms
- Using mosquito nets when sleeping
- Eliminating mosquito breeding grounds around your home
Conclusion
Dengue is a serious illness that can be fatal if not treated promptly. If you experience any of the symptoms of dengue, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent serious complications.
Signs You Need to Check if you have Dengue
-
Fever that lasts for more than 2 days
-
Severe headache
-
Muscle and joint pain that is so severe that it makes it difficult to walk or move
-
Nausea and vomiting that prevents you from keeping food or liquids down
-
A rash that appears on your skin after you have had a fever for 2-3 days
-
Bleeding from the nose, gums, or skin
-
Severe abdominal pain
-
Persistent vomiting
4 Useful Tables
| Symptom | Mild Dengue | Severe Dengue |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Yes | Yes |
| Headache | Yes | Yes |
| Muscle and joint pain | Yes | Yes |
| Nausea and vomiting | Yes | Yes |
| Fatigue | Yes | Yes |
| Rash | Yes | No |
| Bleeding | No | Yes |
| Organ failure | No | Yes |
| Age group | Number of dengue cases | Percentage of total cases |
|---|---|---|
| 0-14 years | 230 million | 59% |
| 15-49 years | 130 million | 33% |
| 50 years and older | 30 million | 8% |
| Region | Number of dengue cases | Percentage of total cases |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | 190 million | 49% |
| Western Pacific | 100 million | 26% |
| Americas | 60 million | 15% |
| Africa | 40 million | 10% |
| Country | Number of dengue cases | Percentage of total cases |
|---|---|---|
| India | 60 million | 15% |
| Brazil | 40 million | 10% |
| Indonesia | 30 million | 8% |
| Philippines | 20 million | 5% |
| Thailand | 10 million | 3% |
