Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

What are dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever is a viral illness caused by the bite of a certain type of mosquito. It is also known as breakbone fever because of the severe body aches it causes.

Usually dengue fever is a relatively mild illness, especially for children. The disease can be more severe in adults.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more serious and sometimes fatal form of dengue virus infection.

How does it occur?

Dengue is spread by any one of 4 closely related but different viruses that are most often carried by a species of mosquito called Aedes aegypti. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they bite a person who has dengue fever. You can then get the virus if you are bitten by an infected mosquito.

Dengue is found mostly in tropical and subtropical areas of:

• Africa
• Asia
• Caribbean countries
• Central and South America
• Mexico
• the Pacific.

Dengue cannot be spread directly from person to person.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually begin 4 to 7 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. Sometimes it may be as long as 2 weeks before you have symptoms. Symptoms of dengue fever are:

• sudden high fever
• severe headache
• a rash that may appear over most of the body 3 to 4 days after the fever begins
• swollen lymph nodes (often called glands)
• severe muscle and joint pain
• nausea and vomiting
• flushing of the face
• pain behind the eyes or when you move your eyes
• cough, sore throat, or stuffy nose.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever may also cause:

• unusual bleeding such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
• easy bruising
• severe abdominal pain
• constant vomiting
• sudden change from fever to an abnormally low temperature (a condition called hypothermia)
• restlessness
• feeling tired.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms and recent travels. Dengue fever may be suspected if you have symptoms of the disease and have traveled to a tropical climate. You may have a blood test to help check the diagnosis.

How is it treated?

There is no specific treatment that cures dengue. Your provider may advise you to:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Get lots of rest.
• Take acetaminophen to control fever and pain if necessary.
• Not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDS) because these medicines interfere with your ability to clot your blood and there is already a risk of bleeding too much if you have dengue hemorrhagic fever.

If you have dengue hemorrhagic fever, you may need to stay at the hospital and be given fluids intravenously (IV).

How long do the effects last?

Dengue fever usually lasts 5 to 7 days. In some cases you may have a second fever that lasts 1 to 2 days. You may feel tired for days to weeks after getting over the fever.

How can I help take care of myself?

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.

See your provider right away if you start having these serious symptoms:

• unusual bleeding such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
• weak, rapid pulse
• trouble breathing
• cold, clammy skin
• unusual restlessness.

How can dengue fever be prevented?

There is no vaccine for preventing dengue. To prevent dengue, take precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes:

• Schedule travel to tropical areas during the seasons when mosquitoes are less active.
• Stay in places that are clean, insect free, and have air conditioning or well-screened windows.
• When you are in a mosquito-infested area, avoid wearing perfume or other scented products.
• Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening, when mosquitoes are most likely to be around.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Use an insect repellent containing 20 to 35% DEET on skin that is not covered by clothing. (Children older than 2 months can use repellents with no more than 30% DEET.)
• Mosquitoes lay eggs in water. To reduce mosquito breeding, drain standing water from flowerpots, buckets, barrels, cans, and other items that collect water.
• Avoid swimming in small ponds or lagoons, which are mosquito-breeding areas.

The risk of dengue infection for international travelers appears to be small, unless there is an epidemic in the area you are visiting.

For additional information, visit the World Health Organization's Web site at http://www.who.int/en/. You may also contact The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 1-888-232-3228 or visit their Web site at http://www.cdc.gov.