Dengue refers to a viral disease that spreads through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. Almost half of the world's population is at risk of dengue because of the area they live. There are several dengue fever symptoms, such as, nausea, vomiting, rash, aches, and pains.
Symptoms of Dengue can differ from mild to severe, and several people experience no symptoms at all. Mild dengue symptoms include high fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, Nausea, and vomiting. Dengue fever is caused by any of four associated dengue viruses (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, or DEN-4). Healthcare professionals use a combination of clinical assessment and lab testing for TB diagnosis, as there is no specific treatment.
Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation and laboratory testing. As there is no specific antiviral treatment, medical management is supportive, focusing on symptom relief and vigilant monitoring to prevent progression. Nutritional support is also a key component of care, with specific dietary recommendations for patients. There are some foods to be included and some to be avoided by the person with dengue. We will discuss more in detail.
Finding out the symptoms of Dengue earlier is significant as it helps in the faster treatment and prevents any further complications. The dengue fever early symptoms are commonly seen 4 to 10 days after an infected mosquito bite. The symptoms of Dengue in babies include a sudden high fever (up to 104°F), Irritability, rash, Vomiting or diarrhoea, along with other symptoms such as sleepiness, lack of energy, and reduced appetite.
To identify the symptoms of Dengue, a medical professional can go through blood tests, like NS1 antigen detection, IgM and IgG antibody tests, and molecular tests (like PCR) to determine the presence of a virus or its components. But, finding out the Dengue symptoms in adults at home is also possible.
A serum sample is used for dengue testing or to identify the dengue symptoms. Dengue fever is seen in above 100 countries, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, and they have the highest incidence in Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific, Latin America, and Africa. Dengue fever have caused an estimated 20,000 to 36,000 deaths yearly. Thus, it is better to find out the symptoms of Dengue.
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The disease is caused by the dengue virus and is primarily spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites most frequently during the daytime. In some cases, the infection can progress to severe dengue (formerly known as dengue hemorrhagic fever). This is a medical emergency characterised by warning signs like severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, and difficulty breathing. Hospital care is crucial, as severe dengue can be life-threatening.
Recognising the symptoms of dengue fever is critical for early diagnosis and management. Typically manifesting 4 to 10 days after an infected mosquito bite, the illness often begins abruptly with a high fever, severe headache, and pain behind the eyes. Patients frequently experience intense muscle and joint pain, which is the origin of the disease's "breakbone fever" nickname, and may develop a characteristic skin rash. It is essential to seek prompt medical attention if the condition escalates to severe warning signs such as persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or bleeding from the nose or gums.
There are many Dengue symptoms that help determine if a person is affected by Dengue.
The following are the common symptoms of Dengue fever.
Let's deep dive into each symptom individually
Dengue often causes two types of rashes:
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Severe Dengue occurs when your blood vessels become damaged and leaky. The warning signs of severe dengue fever generally start on the first day or two after your fever goes away. These warning signs are life-threatening emergencies which can develop quickly. The warning signs of severe dengue fever might include:
There are four types of Dengue virus types: dengue-1, dengue-2, dengue-3, and dengue-4.
The primary cause of dengue is infection with the dengue virus (DENV), which has four distinct serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). The fundamental cause of its spread to humans is the bite of an infected mosquito.
Here is a breakdown of the causes and contributing factors:
In short, the cause of a dengue infection is always the dengue virus. The overwhelmingly common cause of transmission is the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Environmental and human factors like urbanization, stagnant water, and climate create the perfect conditions for the disease to spread.
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We have discussed the causes and symptoms of Dengue, so let's see the risk factors. There are some risk factors for Dengue fever, they include :
Staying in tropical and subtropical regions increases your exposure to the virus that could cause dengue fever. The risk is high in places like Southeast Asia, Latin America, the western Pacific islands, and Africa.
If you have had dengue fever in the past, then your risk of dengue fever is high. This is because the dengue fever infection increases your risk of symptoms if you get dengue fever again.
Dengue fever is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and specific blood tests, with the choice of test depending on the timing since symptom onset. In the early stages (days 1-5), diagnosis focuses on detecting the virus itself using the NS1 antigen test, a rapid and common method, or the more precise RT-PCR test, which identifies the virus's genetic material. After the first few days (from day 4-5 onward), the body produces antibodies, and serological tests are used to detect IgM antibodies, indicating a current infection, and IgG antibodies, which can help distinguish between a primary and a secondary infection. Often, doctors will order both NS1 and antibody tests together for a comprehensive diagnosis, while supportive tests like a complete blood count are crucial for monitoring platelet levels and detecting potential complications.
There is no particular medicine to treat Dengue. So, some methods to manage the dengue symptoms will work out. The methods to manage the symptoms of Dengue include :
Eating some foods helps with fast recovery from Dengue. Here are the foods to be included during Dengue.
Category | Items |
Fruits | Papaya, Bananas, apples, guavas, pears, Kiwi, oranges, strawberries, Pomegranate, mango and Pineapple. |
Vegetables | Spinach, beetroot and carrots. Tomatoes, Cooked zucchini, and pumpkin |
Lean Protein | Lean chicken, eggs, fish, Tofu and lentils |
Dairy | Low-fat milk, yoghurt, and cheese. |
Indian Foods | Idli with sambar, rice, daal, vegetable upma,and cooked vegetables |
Grains | White rice, white pasta, and white bread |
Beverages | Water, coconut water, natural fruit juices, and Papaya leaf juice (boosts platelets) |
Soups and Broths | Clear vegetable or chicken broths |
Herbal teas | Herbal teas like ginger or chamomile |
Others | Oatmeal with fruits, yogurt with honey and nuts, scrambled eggs with spinach, whole-grain toast with avocado, fruit smoothies, or boiled eggs with toast |
There are some foods which have to be avoided to prevent further complications. Here are those foods that have to be avoided during Dengue.
Category | Items |
Fatty and Greasy Foods | Fried foods like French fries, and fried chicken. High-fat dairy products like full-fat milk, cheese, butter. Fatty cuts of meat. |
Spicy Foods | Foods having chilli peppers or hot sauces. |
Acidic Foods | Lemons, limes, and tomatoes |
Sugary | Soft drinks, energy drinks, sugary juices |
Foods Causing Gas | Beans, radishes, chickpeas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lentils, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. |
Processed Foods | Chips and cookies. |
Raw or Undercooked Foods | Raw meats, seafood, and eggs. |
Sugary Drinks | Soda and sugary juices. |
Dark-coloured foods | Beetroot soup, soy sauce, tea, watermelon, coffee, cocoa, and chocolate. |
Caffeinated Beverages | Coffee, tea, and energy drinks. |
Carbonated drinks | Commercially sold in the market |
Alcohol | Beer, wine, and spirits. |
Some medications help in dengue treatment for managing the symptoms; let's see them.
Medicine Names | Formula |
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) | C8H9NO2 |
Aspirin | C9H8O4 |
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) | C13H18O2 |
Naproxen (Aleve) | C14H14O3 |
Dengvaxia | Has chimeric yellow fever dengue (CYD) virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
These tablets for Dengue are prescription-only and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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In general, one can prevent dengue fever by taking precautions like avoiding mosquito bites by using repellents, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding mosquito breeding grounds, particularly in standing water etc. Also, some things that have to be considered include :
There are many signs and symptoms of Dengue. The dengue fever first symptoms include a sudden high fever, heavy headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and a rash, that appears 4-10 days after an infected mosquito bite. The dengue fever first symptoms are typically diagnosed using blood tests that detect the virus or antibodies against it.
The medicines and treatment methods to manage the symptoms help the dengue fever symptoms day by day. The mild dengue symptoms are usually manageable with rest, hydration, and acetaminophen to control fever and pain.
As there is no direct dengue treatment, the medical professionals will provide medicines to manage the dengue fever symptoms.
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