Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes..

1.What is dengue fever? 

Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are

transmitted by mosquitoes..

2.Dengue Fever Symptoms and Signs??

After being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, the incubation period ranges from three to 15 (usually five to eight) days before the signs and symptoms of dengue appear. Dengue starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache. Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness. 

The temperature rises quickly as high as 104F (40 C), with relative low heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure(hypotension). 

The eyes become reddened. A flushing or pale pink rash comes

over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen.

3.What is the treatment for dengue fever? 

Because dengue fever is caused by a virus, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat it. For typical dengue, the treatment is purely concerned with relief of the symptoms (symptomatic). Rest and fluid intake for adequate hydration is important. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should only be taken under a doctor's supervision because of the possibility of worsening hemorrhagic complications. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and codeine may be given for severe headache and for the joint and muscle pain (myalgia).

4.What is the prognosis for typical dengue fever? 

Typical dengue is fatal in less than 1% of cases. The acute phase of the illness with fever and myalgias lasts about one to two weeks. Convalescence is accompanied by a feeling of weakness (asthenia), and full recovery often takes several weeks.

5. How can dengue fever be prevented?

The prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue. In nations plagued by dengue fever,people are urged to empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flowerpots. Governmental initiatives to decrease mosquitoes also help to keep the disease in check but have been poorly effective.

To prevent mosquito bites, wear long pants and long sleeves. For personal protection, use mosquito repellant sprays that contain DEET when visiting places where dengue is endemic. Limiting exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding standing water and staying indoors two hours after sunrise and before sunsetwill help. 

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a daytime biter with peak periods of biting around sunrise and sunset. It may bite at any time of the day

and is often hidden inside homes or other dwellings, especially in urban areas.

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There is currently no vaccine available for dengue fever. There is a vaccine undergoing clinical trials, but it is too early to tell if it will be safe or effective. Early results of clinical trials show that a vaccine may be available by 2012.

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