Dengue Fever
- is spread through mosquitos
Occurrence
Dengue Fever can be found in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world specifically South Pacific, Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas, and Africa.
Symptoms
Dengue fever symptoms occur after an incubation time of 3-14 days (usually 4-7 days). They include high fevers, severe frontal headache, and joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and a maculopapular rash, which appears 3-5 days after onset of fever and can spread from the torso to the arms, legs, and face.
Prevention
No vaccine is currently available, but prevention is possible by reducing the exposure to mosquitos by wearing long sleeve shirts and pants, and using mosquito repellent (DEET).
Treatment
"Acetaminophen products are recommended for managing fever. Acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (such as ibuprofen) should be avoided because of their anticoagulant properties. Salicylates (e.g., aspirin) should be especially avoided in children due to the association with Reye syndrome. Patients should be encouraged to rest and take fluids. Warning signs of progression to severe disease include abrupt change from fever to hypothermia, severe abdominal pain, prolonged vomiting, and altered mental status (e.g., irritability, confusion, lethargy). Prompt treatment of DHF with intravenous fluid can improve patient outcomes. In such cases, hospitalization with close monitoring of vital signs, fluid balance, and hematologic parameters is indicated, as well as additional supportive measures."[1]
