Dengue Fever and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a disease caused by Dengue virus infection. This virus enters the human body through the bite of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which live in the tropics and subtropics. It is estimated that there are 390 million cases of dengue fever worldwide each year.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), dengue fever is categorized as the most mosquito-borne viral disease in the world – and the most rapidly spreading – with a 30-fold increase in global incidence over the past 50 years.
Cited from Eliminatedengue.com, more than 40 percent of the world’s population, in more than 100 countries are at risk of dengue infection. In addition, Southeast Asia, America and the Western Pacific are the most significant dengue epidemics in recent years for this disease.
Dengue Fever Symptoms
Symptoms of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and body weakness. People with dengue fever also experience bleeding, such as the nose, gums, or under the skin, so it looks like a bruise. Blood can also be present in urine, feces, or vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention, if shortness of breath or cold sweat occurs.
Whereas dengue fever is a mild form of dengue virus infection. Similar to DHF, dengue fever begins with symptoms of fever. Symptoms appear 4-7 days since the mosquito bite, and can last for 10 days. A number of symptoms of dengue fever include:
- High body temperature that can reach 40 degrees Celsius or more.
- Severe headache
- Pain in joints, muscles, and bones.
- Loss of appetite.
- Pain in the back of the eye.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Reddish rash (appears about 2-5 days after fever).
Dengue fever is a condition that can cause damage and leakage of blood vessels, and reduce levels of platelets or blood cell cells. This condition is dangerous and can cause death, so it must be treated immediately.
Read also about West Nile Virus (WNV) is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can also be transmitted to humans and other animals through mosquito bites. It is a member of the Flaviviridae family and is transmitted mainly by Culex mosquitoes, which become infected after feeding on infected birds.
*USA Health Articles does not provide health advice, diagnosis or treatment.
