Dengue

What is dengue fever?

Dengue fever (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is a disease caused by four dengue viruses spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This is different from the mosquito which causes malaria. Once you contract one of the dengue viruses, you develop immunity to that virus for the rest of your life. However, you can still contract the other three viruses, so it is possible to get all four dengue viruses in your lifetime. The viruses that cause dengue fever are related to those that cause yellow fever and West Nile virus infection. Dengue is most common in tropical (e.g. sub-Saharan Africa) and subtropical climate. Each year up to 400 million people are infected by a dengue virus worldwide. Approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue*.

How is dengue fever transmitted?

Dengue fever is transmitted via the bite of a mosquito harboring the dengue virus. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites. A pregnant person with dengue can pass the disease to their child during pregnancy or around the time of birth. To date, there has been one documented report of dengue spread through breast milk. Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas with risk of dengue. Dengue can rarely be spread through blood transfusion, organ transplant or a needle stick injury.

What are the symptoms of dengue fever?

Dengue fever usually shows symptoms 4 to 10 days after the initial infection. They are often mild and can be mistaken for a cold. In children, symptoms may be more severe and include; sudden high fever, severe headache, swollen lymph glands and skin rashes. Symptoms of severe dengue can include:

  • Belly pain and tenderness
  • Mild to severe vomiting (three times in 24 hours)
  • Mild bleeding from the nose or gums
  • Vomiting blood or blood in stool
  • Fatigue, restlessness, or irritability

Dengue hemorrhagic fever

The risk factors for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever include having antibodies to dengue virus from a previous infection and a weakened immune system. This rare form of the disease is characterized by: high fever, damage to the lymphatic system, damage to blood vessels, bleeding from the nose and bleeding under the skin.

How is dengue fever diagnosed?

A virological test or a serological test can be used to test for antibodies of the dengue viruses or presence of infection.

What is the treatment for dengue fever?

There is no medication or treatment specifically made for dengue infection. Treatment is based on symptoms present. A small percentage of people who have dengue fever can develop a more serious form of disease known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. The best method of protection is to avoid mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing and reducing the mosquito population. There is now a new dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia.

Transmission of Dengue, CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), 2021

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