Dengue Fever: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Dengue Fever: Complete Guide for Awareness, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Dengue Fever, also known as “Breakbone Fever”, is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted mainly by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It has become one of the fastest-growing global health problems, especially in tropical and subtropical regions including Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, and South America.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue cases have increased 30-fold in the last 50 years. It affects more than 390 million people annually, with severe dengue causing significant mortality if not managed promptly.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Causes of Dengue Fever
3. Symptoms of Dengue Fever
4. Stages of Dengue
5. Diagnosis of Dengue
6. Treatment and Management
7. Complications
8. Prevention and Control
9. Difference Between Dengue and Other Viral Fevers
10. Latest Research on Dengue
11. FAQs
12. References
13. Disclaimer

Causes of Dengue Fever

• Caused by the Dengue virus (DENV), which has four distinct serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4).
• Transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito.
• Human-to-human transmission does not occur directly but through the mosquito vector.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

Symptoms usually appear 4–10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Category	Symptoms
Mild Dengue	High fever (104°F), headache, muscle/joint pain, pain behind eyes, nausea, vomiting, skin rash
Severe Dengue	Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, blood in stool/vomit, difficulty breathing, organ impairment

Stages of Dengue

1. Febrile Phase: Sudden high fever, body aches, rash.
2. Critical Phase: Risk of plasma leakage, bleeding, shock.
3. Recovery Phase: Reabsorption of fluids, gradual improvement.

Diagnosis of Dengue Fever

• Blood Tests: NS1 antigen test, IgM/IgG antibody tests.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Low platelet count, low WBC count, increased hematocrit.
• RT-PCR: Detects dengue viral RNA.

Treatment and Management

No specific antiviral treatment exists. Management is mainly supportive.

• Adequate hydration and oral rehydration solutions (ORS).
• Paracetamol for fever and pain (avoid aspirin/NSAIDs due to bleeding risk).
• Hospitalization in severe cases for IV fluids and monitoring.
• Platelet transfusion only if clinically indicated.

Complications of Dengue Fever

Complication	Details
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF)	Severe bleeding, low platelets, plasma leakage
Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS)	Circulatory failure, organ dysfunction, high fatality risk

Prevention and Control

• Use mosquito repellents and bed nets.
• Eliminate stagnant water sources (tires, buckets, flower pots).
• Wear long-sleeved clothing.
• Community-based vector control programs.
• WHO-approved Dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) for endemic areas.

Difference Between Dengue and Other Viral Fevers

Feature	Dengue	Malaria	Chikungunya
Vector	Aedes mosquito	Anopheles mosquito	Aedes mosquito
Onset	Sudden high fever	Gradual	Sudden
Key Symptoms	Severe joint pain, rash, low platelets	Chills, sweating, anemia	Extreme joint stiffness

Latest Research on Dengue

• New vaccine trials (Takeda’s TAK-003 showing promising results).
• Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes to reduce dengue transmission.
• Rapid diagnostic kits improving early detection.

FAQs on Dengue Fever

1. How long does dengue fever last?

Usually 5–7 days, but full recovery may take 2 weeks.

2. Can dengue spread from person to person?

No, it spreads only through mosquito bites.

3. When should I go to the hospital?

If you develop bleeding, abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care immediately.

References

• World Health Organization (WHO). Dengue and severe dengue. WHO Factsheet

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dengue. CDC Dengue
• Guzman MG, et al. Dengue: a continuing global threat. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2010;8(12):S7-S16.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical concerns.

📌 Read more related articles on our Health Blog.