Dengue Fever: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe
Dengue fever is a serious mosquito-borne illness common in tropical regions like Malaysia. Caused by the dengue virus, it can lead to high fever, severe body aches, and in some cases, life-threatening complications. Early awareness, prevention, and proper care are essential to managing this growing health concern. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Dengue Fever: What is it?
Dengue fever is a viral illness spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti. Common in tropical and subtropical regions, it causes high fever, severe muscle and joint pain, rash, and headaches.
While most cases are mild, severe forms can lead to bleeding, organ damage, and even death if not treated early. There’s no specific cure, but early diagnosis, hydration, and rest are key to recovery.
Prevention is better than cure — protect yourself by avoiding mosquito bites and eliminating breeding grounds.
Common Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Dengue fever symptoms usually appear 4–10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The illness typically progresses through three phases — febrile, critical, and recovery. Here are the key symptoms to look out for:
1. Sudden High Fever
- One of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms.
- Fever can spike up to 40°C (104°F) and lasts 2–7 days.
- Often accompanied by chills and sweating.
2. Severe Headache
- Commonly centered behind the forehead or eyes.
- Often described as a deep, throbbing pain.
3. Pain Behind the Eyes (Retro-orbital Pain)
- A unique and uncomfortable pain that worsens with eye movement.
- Typically felt in both eyes.
4. Muscle, Joint & Bone Pain
- Known as “breakbone fever” due to the intense pain it causes.
- Affects large muscle groups, joints, and bones.
- May cause stiffness and difficulty moving.
5. Skin Rash
- Appears 2–5 days after the fever begins.
- Rash may look like measles or red blotches, sometimes itchy.
- May appear, fade, and reappear during recovery.
6. Nausea and Vomiting
- Mild to moderate nausea.
- Some may experience vomiting, especially during the critical phase.
7. Extreme Fatigue & Weakness
- Can last for weeks after fever subsides.
- May cause difficulty concentrating or doing physical tasks.
8. Mild Bleeding
- Includes nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or easy bruising.
- More common in moderate to severe dengue cases.
Warning Signs of Severe Dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever)
May occur 3–7 days after the initial symptoms:
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe abdominal pain
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Bleeding under the skin (petechiae or purplish spots)
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Restlessness or drowsiness
- Drop in blood pressure (shock)
These signs may indicate the onset of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and require immediate medical attention.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Dengue Fever
1. Diagnosis
Diagnosing dengue fever involves a combination of clinical evaluation and laboratory testing, especially in regions where dengue is common.
- Medical History & Symptoms Check
Doctors will assess:
- Recent travel to dengue-endemic areas
- Presence of typical symptoms like fever, joint pain, rash, or bleeding signs
- Physical Examination
Signs such as low blood pressure, dehydration, or skin rashes help guide early detection.
- Laboratory Tests
- NS1 Antigen Test: Detects dengue virus in the early stage (day 1–5).
- PCR Test (RT-PCR): Identifies viral RNA; confirms infection and virus type.
- IgM/IgG Antibody Tests: Detect antibodies produced in response to the virus (after day 5).
2. Treatment
There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Management focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications.
- Supportive Care
- Hydration is critical — drink plenty of fluids (water, oral rehydration salts, juice).
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen) to reduce fever and relieve pain.
Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen, as they may worsen bleeding.
- Rest
- Full physical rest is recommended to help the body fight off the infection.
- Monitoring for Warning Signs
- Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen — especially if there’s severe abdominal pain, bleeding, or difficulty breathing.
- Hospitalization
- May be required in severe cases involving bleeding, dehydration, or organ complications.
- Patients may need IV fluids, platelet transfusions, or intensive monitoring.
Prevention Tips
Dengue fever is a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes mosquito. Here are some prevention tips to help reduce the risk of contracting dengue fever:
1. Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites:
- Remove standing water: Empty containers like buckets, flower pots, or discarded tires where water can collect.
- Clean gutters: Make sure gutters are clear of debris and don’t hold water.
- Cover water storage containers: Use tight-fitting lids on water tanks or containers to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
2. Use Mosquito Repellents:
- Apply repellents that contain DEET (short for N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin. DEET is active ingredients widely used in mosquito repellent’s product – it doesn’t kill mosquitoes, but confuses their sense of smell.
- Use repellents as directed, especially during peak mosquito activity (early morning and late afternoon).
3. Wear Protective Clothing:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes to minimize exposure to mosquitoes.
- Consider treating clothes with permethrin, an insect repellent specifically for fabric.
4. Install Mosquito Screens:
- Make sure windows and doors have tight-fitting screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering indoor spaces.
5. Use Mosquito Nets:
- Sleep under a mosquito net, especially in areas where dengue is prevalent or if you’re sleeping in a non-air-conditioned space.
6. Use Mosquito Traps or Insecticide:
- Use mosquito traps or insecticide in and around your home to reduce the mosquito population.
7. Stay in Air-Conditioned Areas:
- Air-conditioned spaces are less likely to have mosquitoes. Stay indoors or in areas with proper mosquito control, especially during peak mosquito hours.
8. Stay Informed:
- Keep an eye on local dengue fever outbreaks and take extra precautions during these times.
9. Consult Health Authorities:
- If you live in or travel to an area with a high risk of dengue, check with local health authorities for additional advice and preventive measures.
By following these tips, you can reduce the likelihood of exposure to the mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dengue fever is a serious viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes species. It commonly presents with symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, skin rash, nausea and mild bleeding. While there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue, early diagnosis and proper supportive care can significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Prevention remains the most effective way to combat dengue. Key measures involve eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using mosquito repellents, wearing protective clothing, and minimizing exposure especially in high-risk areas. By adhering to these preventive measures and staying informed, individuals can help protect themselves and their communities from the spread of dengue fever.
Ultimately, the key to reducing the burden of dengue lies in community efforts to control mosquito populations and raise awareness about the importance of prevention.
If you’re considering additional protection, exploring available dengue vaccine options could be a valuable step. You can learn more here. The page offers helpful information about dengue vaccine, the benefits and where to get them! Definitely worth checking out!
References
World Health Organization (WHO), The WHO provides comprehensive information on dengue fever, its prevention, and control strategies, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIH provides research-based information on the dengue virus, its global impact, and prevention strategies, https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/dengue-fever