Dengue is in fact an African word meaning "bone breaking". This alone conveys the agony this disease. It is primarily transmitted by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito, while Ae.albopiictus, Ae.polynesiensis and several species of the Ae.scutellaris complex are considered as secondary vectors of dengue. This makes dengue the most important human viral disease transmitted by arthropods. There are an estimated 50-100 million cases reported annually, and since the 1950s, more than 5 million children have been hospitalised and 70 000 have died.
SCARY FACT : DENGUE IS MOST DEADLY TO THOSE BELOW THE AGE OF FIFTEEN!!!!
There are four types (known as "serotypes") of dengue. Infection and recovery from one type of dengue does not protect a person from another type, as the antibodies formed against one type does not give protection against a secondary attack by another type. Instead, the antibodies formed after being infected with dengue for the first time, favour the development of severe symptoms during the second attack of dengue, resulting in a high fatality rate.
In children, Dengue Haemorrhagic Shock Syndrome (DHSS) is a dangerous implication in which fever is followed by the collapse with shock, decreased blood pressure and signs of haemorrhage.
The shock increases
the production of the hormone adrenaline, which in turn increases the heart
beat. Blood is pumped faster - resulting in more haemorrhage - and the heart
becomes overworked. Valuable energy may also be lost when the patient tries to
express their fear,
e.g.. by crying or shouting.
There are several possible ways to alleviate this shock caused by dengue, although to my knowledge they have never been tested.
The patient may have stomach aches and vomiting may also occur. A useful feature in differentiating it from a normal flu is that it is not common to have a cough or cold. Flushing of the skin may occur on the palms, soles of feet, face and neck. Red spots may appear on the skin. These indicate internal bleeding, which is on of the symptoms of dengue. In many dengue cases, the patient often complains of aching joints, and on close examination, the joints (particularly the joints on the fingers) may appear to be swollen.
Bleeding can occur in various areas such as the intestines, nose, skin, lips or gums. If these symptoms are noticed, the patient should be immediately admitted to hospital.
If you have any extra information on this subject, or would like to comment on it, please email me.