Dengue Fever Definition
Dengue fever or DHF is a mosquito-borne disease that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common symptoms of DHF are high fever and flu-like symptoms.
Meanwhile, in severe DHF, this condition can cause serious bleeding, sudden drop in blood pressure (shock), and even death.
Millions of cases of dengue fever infections occur worldwide each year. DHF is most common in Southeast Asia, the western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa.
But now the disease has spread to new areas, including local outbreaks in Europe and the southern United States.
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites and take steps to reduce the mosquito population.
If someone close to you experiences dengue fever, here is a list of doctors who can help treat them so they can get immediate treatment.
Dengue fever or DHF is a mosquito-borne disease that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common symptoms of DHF are high fever, accompanied by other flu-like symptoms. p
In severe cases of dengue fever, this condition can cause serious bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock), and even death.
Millions of cases of dengue fever infections occur worldwide each year. DHF is most common in Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa.
But now, the disease has spread to new areas, including local outbreaks in Europe and the southern United States.
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites and take steps to reduce the mosquito population.
If someone close to you experiences dengue fever, here is a list of doctors who can help treat them so they can get immediate treatment.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Usually, dengue fever symptoms will appear four to 10 days after being bitten by a mosquito. This disease can cause high fevers of up to 40 degrees Celsius.
So, here are the characteristics of dengue fever that you need to be aware of:
1. High fever
The most common early symptom of dengue fever is a sudden high fever, usually above 38 degrees Celsius.
This fever may be accompanied by chills and can last for 2 to 7 days.
2. Muscle and joint pain
Many dengue fever patients experience severe muscle and joint pain, so it is often called “ bone-breaking fever ”.
This pain can cause discomfort and interfere with daily activities.
This muscle and joint pain is one of the most common symptoms of dengue fever experienced as a symptom of dengue fever.
3. Skin rash
The characteristics of dengue fever are also related to skin problems. DHF can cause skin rashes and usually appear a few days after the fever occurs.
The rash can be red spots and can spread throughout the body. The severity of the rash can vary depending on how severe the dengue fever is.
4. Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can affect food and fluid intake. This is due to the body’s response to infection and can lead to dehydration.
This characteristic of dengue fever is common in various other diseases. However, if you experience it accompanied by a high fever, consult a doctor immediately to find out the diagnosis.
5. Other signs of dengue fever that you need to be aware of
- Headache.
- Pain behind the eyes
- Swollen glands.
- Stomach ache.
- Changes in blood pressure.
- decreased platelet count.
So, how many days do the signs and symptoms of dengue fever heal? It turns out that it can vary from person to person!
In some cases, the symptoms that arise as characteristics of DHF can worsen and become life-threatening. Other names are dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome.
Severe dengue fever occurs when blood vessels become damaged and leak. This condition will cause the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in the bloodstream to drop.
This can lead to shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death. Severe and emergency DHF warning signs can develop quickly.
Warning signs usually begin the first day or two after the fever goes away, including:
- Severe stomach ache.
- Constant vomiting.
- Bleeding from the gums or nose.
- Blood in urine, stool, or vomit.
- Bleeding under the skin, which looks like a bruise.
- Difficult or rapid breathing.
- Fatigue.
- Irritability or restlessness.
Causes of Dengue Fever
One of the four types of dengue virus is the cause of dengue fever.
You cannot get this disease from being around an infected person because this disease is transmitted through mosquito bites.
DBD is caused by two mosquitoes that can transmit the virus, namely Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The two types of mosquitoes that most often spread the dengue virus are generally found in and around settlements.
When a mosquito bites a person infected with the dengue virus, the virus enters the mosquito.
Then, when an infected mosquito bites another person, the virus enters that person’s bloodstream and causes infection until dengue fever symptoms appear.
Once a person recovers from this disease, he or she will have long-term immunity to the type of virus that infected him or her, but not to the other three types of dengue viruses.
This means that you could be infected again in the future by any of the other three types of the virus.
Your risk of developing a severe form of the disease increases if you get dengue fever for the second, third or fourth time.
Get checked if you experience symptoms that are suspected to be dengue fever symptoms.
Risk Factors
You are at greater risk of developing this disease or more severe symptoms if:
- Living or traveling in tropical areas. Because being in tropical and subtropical areas increases the risk of contracting the virus that causes this disease. Especially high-risk areas include Southeast Asia, the western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa.
- Having had dengue fever in the past. A previous infection with the dengue virus can increase your risk of severe symptoms if you get dengue fever again.
Study on Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
Dengue fever (DBD) cases in Jakarta are greatly influenced by climate factors and public knowledge.
Researchers are trying to find out whether there is a relationship between climate change and the increase in dengue cases in Jakarta. Their findings were published in the UI Public Health Journal .
Through analysis of climate data, community behavior, and the number of Aedes mosquitoes, researchers found that:
- Climate factors. Rainfall, temperature, and humidity greatly influence the increase in dengue cases. Climate change that causes increased temperature and rainfall and changes in seasonal patterns can create ideal conditions for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.
- Community behavior. The level of community knowledge about dengue fever also plays an important role. Communities with low knowledge tend to take less preventive measures, thus increasing the risk of transmission.
- The number of Aedes mosquitoes. The higher the number of Aedes mosquitoes, the greater the risk of dengue fever transmission.
In conclusion, to reduce dengue fever cases in Jakarta, intensive efforts are needed to control the Aedes mosquito vector, as well as increase public knowledge and awareness about dengue fever prevention.
In addition, efforts are also needed to adapt to climate change to reduce its impact on increasing dengue fever cases.
Diagnosis of Dengue Fever
Diagnosing dengue fever symptoms can be difficult because the signs and symptoms are similar to other diseases, such as chikungunya, Zika virus, malaria, and typhoid fever.
The doctor will likely ask about your medical and travel history.
In addition, the doctor will also take a blood sample to be tested in the laboratory as evidence of infection with one of the dengue viruses.
Is Dengue Fever Contagious?
DBD is a disease usually caused by the dengue virus and transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
This virus cannot be transmitted through direct contact with the patient, such as sneezing, coughing, or sexual intercourse.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, and there is no evidence that it can be transmitted from person to person.
Dengue fever prevention is more effective through mosquito population control and self-protection. Because there is no way to prevent dengue virus transmission after infection.
Complications of Dengue Fever
Severe dengue fever can cause several complications, such as internal bleeding and organ damage.
Blood pressure can also drop to dangerous levels, causing shock. In some cases, severe dengue fever symptoms can also cause death.
Women who experience dengue fever symptoms during pregnancy can pass the virus to their baby during childbirth.
In addition, babies of mothers who have the disease during pregnancy have a higher risk of premature birth, low birth weight, or fetal distress.
Dengue Fever Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for dengue fever to treat the symptoms. While recovering, you should drink plenty of fluids.
Also, call your doctor immediately if you have the following signs and symptoms of dehydration:
- Decreased urination.
- Little or no tears.
- Dry mouth or lips.
- Lethargy or confusion.
- Cold or clammy extremities.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen can help reduce muscle pain and fever.
However, if you have this disease, you should avoid other types of pain relievers, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. Because these pain relievers can increase the risk of bleeding complications.
If you have severe dengue fever, you need:
- Intravenous (IV) Fluid and Electrolyte Replacement. With hospital care, by a doctor.
- Blood Pressure Monitoring. The doctor will monitor blood pressure regularly, and immediately treat it if the condition worsens.
- Blood Transfusion. This treatment is necessary to replace lost blood if you experience blood loss.
Recommended Dengue Fever Medication
Here are some recommended medicines to treat dengue fever, including:
- Fu Fang E Jiao Jiang 20 ml 12 Bottles. Contains Chinese herbal ingredients such as EJiao ( colla corini ), radix codonopsis (dangsam), and fructus crataegi (shanzha) which can be used to improve blood circulation, and relieve symptoms of dengue fever such as headaches and body aches.
- Al Afiat Angkak 60 Capsules . Is a medicine containing Monascus purpureus which is also known as angkak extract. Can be used to increase platelet production in dengue fever sufferers.
- Isoprinosine Syrup 60 ml. Contains methisoprinol 250 mg as an immunomodulator that works to change the body’s immune response, so that the body is better able to fight viral infections, including dengue fever.
- Isoprinosine 500 mg 8 Tablets. Contains methisoprinol 500 mg, this drug works by regulating the body’s immune system to fight dengue virus infection that causes dengue fever.
- Paracetamol 500 mg 10 Caplets . Paracetamol can treat high fever, headache, and discomfort in the body of DHF patients.
- Kalnex 250 mg 10 Capsules. This drug with 250 mg tranexamic acid content works by treating bleeding in a number of conditions, including nosebleeds due to dengue fever.
Dengue Fever Prevention
Now you know what dengue fever is caused by.
You can also prevent dengue fever by using vaccines, such as Dengue Vaccination (QDenga).
However, prevention of mosquito bites and control of mosquito populations are still the main methods to prevent the spread of this disease.
If you live or travel to an area where this disease is common, the following tips can help reduce your risk of mosquito bites:
- Use air conditioning or mosquito nets on vents and beds. In addition, mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus are most active from dawn to dusk, but they can also bite at night.
- Wear protective clothing when you go to areas with lots of mosquitoes, wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes.
- Use insect repellents like permethrin because they can be applied to clothing, shoes, camping gear, and mosquito nets. You can also buy clothing that already has permethrin in it. For skin, use a repellent that contains at least 10 percent DEET.
- Reduce mosquito habitat by covering standing water. Mosquitoes that carry dengue virus typically live in and around homes, breeding in standing water that can collect in old car tires. You can help reduce mosquito populations by eliminating the habitats where they lay their eggs. At least once a week, empty and clean containers that hold standing water, such as planters, animal dishes, and flower vases. Keep water containers covered between cleanings.