Dengue is a viral infection spread by infected female mosquitoes, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In most cases, the infection is mild and passes in around a week but it can be severe and fatal.
Transmission
Transmission of the dengue fever to humans is through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes also get the virus from feeding on infected persons. It takes about 8-12 days for the mosquito to be able to transmit the virus after it’s infection, according to the World Health Organisation. The length of the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) is influenced by ambient temperature, daily temperature fluctuations, virus genotype and initial viral concentration.
Maternal transmission or mother to child transmission is also possible. The risk of vertical transmission seems to be linked to the timing of the dengue infection during the pregnancy. When a mother does have a dengue infection when she is pregnant, babies may suffer from pre-term birth, low birthweight, and fetal distress.
There are rare cases of transmission via blood products, organ donation and transfusions. Similarly, transovarial transmission of the virus within mosquitoes have also been recorded.
Symptoms usually include:
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Widespread rash
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen glands
Severe dengue symptoms include:
- Severe skin bleeding with spots of blood on and under the skin
- Blood in the urine, stools and vomit
- Respiratory distress (rapid breathing) – when the lungs cannot provide the vital organs with enough oxygen
- Organ failure
- Changes in mental state and unconsciousness
- Dangerously low blood pressure
- Pale and cold skin
- Bleeding gums and nose
- Being very thirsty
- Feeling weak
- Fatigue and restlessness
- Severe abdominal pain
Treatment
There is no cure or specific treatment. Patients can relieve their symptoms using painkillers, staying hydrated and resting. Individuals who get infected for the second time are at risk of getting severe dengue. Severe dengue is usually treated via a blood and platelet transfusion, IV fluids for rehydration and oxygen therapy if levels are low.
Prevention and control.
Cover up your body as much as possible to avoid mosquito bites especially during the day as the mosquitoes that spread dengue are active during the day.
Use mosquito nets, window screens, mosquito repellents as well as coils and vaporizers.
Prevent mosquito breeding by:
- preventing mosquitoes from accessing egg-laying habitats by environmental management and modification;
- disposing of solid waste properly and removing artificial man-made habitats that can hold water;
- covering, emptying and cleaning domestic water storage containers on a weekly basis;
- applying appropriate insecticides to outdoor water storage containers.