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Dengue Viral Fever

Dengue Viral

Symptoms and Treatment

 

1 in 4: About one in four people infected with dengue will get sick.
For people who get sick with dengue, symptoms can be mild or severe.
Severe dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and often requires care at a hospital.

Symptoms

Mild symptoms of dengue can be confused with other illnesses that cause fever, aches and pains, or a rash.
Graphic of human body showing most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following: eye pain, headache, muscle pain, rash, bone pain, nausea/vomiting, joint pain
The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following:

 

  1. High Grade Fever (>102 F) is most common symptom of Dengue
  2. Nausea, vomiting, Loose motions. Note Nausea is present in almost 95 % of Dengue, Loose motions in about 20-30 %, Vomiting in 50-60 % of patients. Notable patient is able to drink liquids and eat fruits but have aversion towards normal diet. 
  3. Rash (usually on Day 3-5 of fever)
  4. Aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain). Calf muscle pains are very common.
    Any warning sign
    Symptoms of dengue typically last 2–7 days. Most people will recover after about a week.
  5. Dengue is 7 DAYS Disease Day 1 to 5 Fever with chills, Day 2 onwards metallic taste with nausea, Day 4-5 epigastric heaviness (more if platelets <1 lakh)
  6. Blood tests should be done in 24 hours to 72 hours time period of starting fever. Complete Blood Counts (CBC) and Dengue NS1 Antigen are initial tests of choice.
  7. Platelets are starting to decline from starting fever but more pronounced from Day 4 to Day 7 of starting fever. On Day 8 of starting fever 99 % of people have recovery in platelets counts as well as symptomatic relief.

Treatment

There is no specific medicine to treat dengue.
Treat the symptoms of dengue and see your healthcare provider.
See a healthcare provider if you develop a fever or have symptoms of dengue. 
Rest as much as possible.
Take paracetamol to control fever and relieve pain.

Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen or other pain killers.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Drink water or drinks with added electrolytes.
For mild symptoms, care for a sick infant, child, or family member at home.
Sign for emergency room
Symptoms of dengue can become severe within a few hours. Severe dengue is a medical emergency.

Severe dengue

About 1 in 20 people who get sick with dengue will develop severe dengue.
Severe dengue can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
If you have had dengue in the past, you are more likely to develop severe dengue.
Infants and pregnant women are at higher risk for developing severe dengue.
Symptoms of severe dengue

Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue. Warning signs usually begin in the 24–48 hours after your fever has gone away.

Immediately go to a local clinic or emergency room if you or a family member has any of the following symptoms.

Belly pain, tenderness
Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
Bleeding from the nose or gums
Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
Feeling tired, restless, or irritable

Treatment of severe dengue
If you have any warning signs, see a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room immediately as need Intravenous Fluids and other supportive treatment.
Severe dengue is a medical emergency. It requires immediate medical care at a clinic or hospital.

 

Homecare for Dengue Patients How to Care for Your Sick Family Member

With Fever

Watch for warning signs

Although the fever is going away, this phase of dengue can be dangerous for some patients.

•      Watch for warning signs as temperature declines, 3-7 days after symptoms began.

 

Return IMMEDIATELY to the clinic or emergency department if any of the following warning signs appear:

•      Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting

•      Red spots or patches on the skin

•      Bleeding from nose or gums

•      Vomiting blood or blood in stools

•      Drowsiness or irritability

•      Pale, cold, or clammy skin

•      Difficulty breathing

Bed rest

  • Let your sick child or family member rest as much as

Control high fever

  • Do not give ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), aspirin, or aspirin- containing
  • Sponge the patient’s skin with cool water if fever remains
  • Give acetaminophen or paracetamol (Tylenol) every 6 hours if needed for high fever (maximum 4 doses per day).

Prevent dehydration

Give plenty of fluids, and watch for signs of dehydration, which occurs when a person loses too much body fluid from fever, vomiting, or if he or she does not drink enough fluids. Bring your child or sick family member to a clinic or emergency room if any of the following signs appear:

  • Decrease in urination (check Listlessness, overly agitated, the number of wet diapers or                                      or confused

trips to the bathroom)                 

• Rapid heartbeat (more than

  • Few or no tears when a 100 beats per minute)

child cries                                   

• Cold or clammy fingers

  • Dry mouth, tongue, or lips and toes
  • Sunken eyes Sunken soft spot (fontanel) in an infant’s head

Prevent spread of dengue inside your house

Mosquitoes that bite the affected family member can go on to bite and infect others.

  • Allow the sick child or family member to rest and sleep under a bed net or use insect repellant while
  • Kill all mosquitoes in the house and empty containers that carry water on
  • Place screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering the