Content Writer-SME | Updated On - Sep 4, 2024
Dengue or Dengue fever is an infection caused by mosquitoes. It widely spreads from Aedes aegypti mosquitos to human beings. This viral infection is very common in urban and semi-urban regions. Around half of the world suffers from dengue almost every year. New areas where the disease is spreading are Europe and the southern part of the United States. The development of vaccines for this fever is under process. For now, it is advised to take necessary precautions to reduce the mosquito population.
What is Dengue?
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Dengue is a viral fever transmitted via mosquitos of the species Aedes which carry the dengue virus. These species of mosquitoes also cause Zika and chikungunya viruses. DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 are the four types of dengue viruses.
- The virus spreads when the Aedes mosquitos breed on water.
- Severe dengue can cause internal bleeding or organ damage.
- A woman infected by dengue virus during pregnancy can also damage the fetus.
Dengue Life Cycle
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As stated earlier, the dengue virus is spread by Aedes aegypti mosquito. It takes about 8 to 10 days to complete the life cycle of a dengue mosquito. The 4 main stages of the dengue life cycle are: Egg, Larvae, Pupa, and Adult.
Egg
The stage is the initial stage of the dengue life cycle. The female Aedes mosquito lays eggs in standing water.
- This water can be found anywhere like in pots, mugs, buckets, or rainwater.
- The female mosquito can lay up to 1000 eggs during her entire lifecycle.
- Mosquito eggs are very small, usually brown or black in color.
Larva
Once the eggs are laid in standing water, they take 2-3 days to hatch.
- A larva is typically a creature that resembles a worm and feeds on bacteria or algae.
- The larvae undergo four stages where they mature and shed skin.
- Depending on the availability of resources, this stage ends after 4-14 days.
Pupa
This stage occurs just after the end of the larval stage, a pupa is a spiral or comma-shaped organism found in water.
- In this stage, the pupa keeps growing until it transforms into an adult mosquito.
- This stage lasts for about 1-4 days.
Adult
The last stage called the adult stage occurs. An adult Aedes Aegypti mosquito emerges from the pupa.
- This mosquito stays on the surface of the water until its wings dry out.
- They suck on the blood of human or animal blood to lay eggs and obtain nourishment.
- After sucking on the blood the female mosquito lays eggs and this cycle repeats.
Symptoms of Dengue
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Some people experience mild or no symptoms at all and the infection goes away in 1-2 weeks. There are severe symptoms that occur very rarely and can even cause death. Symptoms of Dengue usually show up after 4-5 days of infection. Some common symptoms are mentioned below:
- High fever
- Frequent headaches
- Pain behind the eyeballs
- Skin rashes
- Feeling of Nausea
- Joint and muscle pain
Mentioned below are some severe symptoms of dengue fever:
- Pain in abdomen
- Continuous vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stools and vomit
- Feeling thirst
- Pale skin
- Fatigue and dizziness
Causes of Dengue
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Dengue fever is not a communicable disease, it is transferred from mosquito bites and not from an infected person.
- A mosquito when bites an infected person (infected with dengue virus) the virus enters the mosquito.
- An infected mosquito when bites another individual, and the healthy person gets infected with the virus.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Dengue
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The virus enters the bloodstream of an infected person. Diagnosis of Dengue can be carried out by:
- Isolating the virus from blood
- Analysing serum samples and
- Other biochemical approaches.
Currently, no specific treatment has been implemented for the cure of dengue. Researchers are working on developing vaccines for dengue.
- Right now pain symptoms are treated with medicines like Acetaminophen and
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin are avoided as they increase the chances of bleeding.
- It is advised to drink lots of water for recovery of lost fluids.
Prevention of Dengue
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The primary step for the prevention of dengue fever is controlling the population of mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization, the dosage of vaccines alone can’t be effective. It is necessary to take the following precautionary steps:
- Avoid getting bit by mosquitos, it is advised to stay in a well-screened house.
- Before stepping outside the house wear clothes which are fully covered.
- Use of mosquito repellents. It can be applied to your skin, clothes, shoes, bed, etc.
- Avoid keeping containers that have stagnant water as it is a breeding place for mosquitoes.
- Use mosquito nets before sleeping to avoid the entry of mosquitoes.
Things to Remember
- Dengue fever is most common in the tropical and subtropical regions.
- This viral infection is also spread by Aedes albopictus.
- About 100-400 million cases of dengue occur globally each year.
- Mosquitos responsible for causing the infection are usually active during the day.
- Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome are severe forms of this infection.
Previous Years Questions
- The infectious stage of Plasmodium that enters the human body… [NEET 2020]
- In higher vertebrates, the immune system can distinguish….[NEET 2016]
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- A person likely to develop tetanus is immunized by….[NEET 2009]
- A person suffering from a disease caused by Plasmodium...[NEET 2010]
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Sample Questions
Ques. What is the difference between dengue fever and heavy dengue? (2 marks)
Ans. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The dengue virus has four disparate serotypes. DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4 are the acronyms for these.Dengue fever can lead to severe dengue, which is a potentially fatal complication. Dengue fever affects an estimated 50-100 million people worldwide per year, with 3 billion people living in dengue-infested areas.
Ques. What do signs occur after exposure? (1 mark)
Ans. The time between being infected by a mosquito carrying dengue fever and showing symptoms varies from 3 to 14 days on average. While an infected person cannot transmit the disease to others by physical interaction, they may serve as a vector of dengue virus for mosquitoes for up to 6 days.
Ques. When should I be concerned with dengue fever? (1 mark)
Ans. If you have a sudden onset of high fever, which can reach 39–40°C (103–105°F), dengue can be considered. Extreme headaches (mostly in the forehead), pain behind the eyes, body aches and pains, skin rash, and nausea or vomiting are all common symptoms. The signs and symptoms normally last 5–7 days. Fever may subside on the third or fourth day in some patients, but it may return.
Ques. When should I be concerned with dengue fever? (2 marks)
Ans. If you have a sudden onset of high fever, which can reach 39–40°C (103–105°F), dengue can be considered. Extreme headaches (mostly in the forehead), pain behind the eyes, body aches and pains, skin rash, and nausea or vomiting are all common symptoms. The signs and symptoms normally last 5–7 days. Fever may subside on the third or fourth day in some patients, but it may return.
Ques. Is it possible for me to catch dengue fever from another person? (1 mark)
Ans. Dengue fever is not spreadable. It is not transmitted directly from one human to another via physical touch. It can only be transmitted by a bite from an infected Aedes mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected individual, the mosquito may bite other people later. As a result, patients should be shielded from mosquito bites. This will be accomplished by requiring individuals to adhere to preventative measures.
Ques. Is it possible to die from dengue fever? (1 mark)
Ans. There is no chance of mortality from dengue fever, although it can lead to dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). If not handled immediately, some of these cases can result in death. Patients with DHF and DSS can completely recover with adequate and timely care.
Ques. Is there a vaccine that will protect you from dengue fever? (1 mark)
Ans. Dengue fever vaccines are now being tested. There aren't any on the market.
Ques. What will the population do to protect itself from dengue fever? (1 mark)
Ans. Dengue fever is largely prevented by stopping the mosquito that transmits the disease (Aedes aegypti) from breeding inside and near houses. Simple steps such as draining water from different tanks, changing water on a regular basis, and washing flower vases and other objects will also help to deter breeding.
Ques. In the event of a dengue outbreak or epidemic, what are the suggested strategies? (1 mark)
Ans. The primary approach is to eliminate mosquito breeding areas. However, “thermal fogging,” which is done by fogging equipment, may be used to interrupt or slow down transmission. An insecticide that has an acute knock-down effect on adult mosquitoes is used in fogging. Unfortunately, when fogging is done after an outbreak has occurred, it is too late.
Ques. What is the right advice for disclosing dengue fever? (1 mark)
Ans. Both suspected or confirmed cases of dengue fever should be reported to the appropriate authorities. The health authority will investigate the cases further. Comprehensive Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Dengue and Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever provide comprehensive guidance for health care providers.
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