Dengue fever is a disease caused by the bite of mosquitos infected with the dengue viruses and is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Symptoms are usually flu-like but can lead to severe dengue fever or a fatal condition.
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever is transmitted by the mosquitos infected by four different types of dengue viruses. Dengue viruses are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions like Central and South America, Africa, parts of Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Dengue fever isn’t contagious from person to person. But it can pass from a pregnant woman to their babies.
Symptoms are usually mild with the first infection. If you get another infection with a different dengue virus, the risk of severe conditions goes up.
What causes dengue fever?
Dengue fever is caused by four dengue viruses. When a mosquito infected with the dengue virus bites you, the virus can enter your blood and make you feel sick.
These dengue viruses can destroy parts of your blood that form clots and give structure to your blood vessels. This can lead to internal bleeding and fatal conditions.
A person can have dengue fever more than once. They will become immune to the specific virus that caused dengue fever though they will not be immune to another three viruses.
Symptoms of dengue fever
Treatment for dengue fever
There is no specific medicine to treat dengue fever. You should consult the doctors to give you the advice to manage and relieve the symptoms.
How to prevent dengue fever?
The best prevention way of dengue fever is to avoid infected mosquitos biting you. Here are some recommendations for you.
- Use mosquito repellents both outdoors and indoors
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors
- Close all windows and doors and make sure they are free of holes.
- Use mosquito nets when you are sleeping