Dengue Fever 147
Dengue Fever (Breakbone Fever)
Dengue fever is caused by a virus spread by a black mosquito with bands of
white dots that look like white stripes from a distance. Their legs are also
striped. This mosquito is sometimes called the “yellow fever mosquito” because
it can also carry yellow fever (see page 148). Dengue usually occurs
during the hot, rainy season. It is most common in cities, in
places where water collects, and where there is poor drainage.
The first time a person gets dengue, she can usually recover
with rest and lots of liquids. But when a person gets it a second time or any
time after that, it can be much more dangerous and may even cause death.
Signs
When first sick, a person gets a sudden high fever with chills, severe body
aches (dengue is sometimes called “bone-break” or “breakbone” fever), a
headache, and sore throat. The person feels very ill and weak. After 3 to 4
days, the person usually feels better for a few hours to 2 days. Then illness
returns for 1 or 2 more days, often with a rash that begins on the hands and
feet. The rash spreads to the arms, legs, and body (but usually not the face).
Babies, young children, and older people, or people with weak immune
systems (such as people with HIV), are especially at risk for a more severe
form of dengue called hemorrhagic dengue. If not treated right away, this form
of dengue causes bleeding from the skin and can lead to death.
Treatment
There is no medicine to treat dengue, and no vaccine to prevent it. It most
cases, dengue can be treated at home with bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids,
and taking ibuprofen or paracetamol (not aspirin) to reduce pain and fever.
important: Hemorrhagic dengue can only be treated by quickly replacing
body fluids and blood. Go to a hospital immediately if the person starts to
bleed from the skin, is unable to eat or drink, or acts confused (a result of
fever, weakness, and the inability to stay awake). It is also important to get
help right away if the sick person is a baby, young child, an elder, or has some
other serious health problem, such as diabetes, heart disease, or HIV.
Prevention
The mosquito that spreads dengue breeds in clean standing water. Unlike the
malaria mosquito, the dengue mosquito bites mostly during the day. For
this reason, bed nets have little effect except for small children or older
people who sleep during the day. Dengue mosquitoes usually stay in
shady, dark places, such as under tables or beds, or in dark corners.
To prevent dengue, avoid mosquito bites (see page 143) and practice
community mosquito control (see pages 149 to 153).
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012