DENGUE FEVER-Transmission and Symptoms

Edited by, SOWNDHARYA

Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected female Aedes species (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus) mosquito. These mosquitoes also spread Zika, Chikungunya and other viruses.

Read about Zika Virus 

ZIKA VIRUS-CLICK HERE TO READ

Dengue is common in more than 100 countries around the world. 40% of the world's population, about 3 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue.

TRANSMISSION:

Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitos.

🦟 These mosquitoes typically lay eggs near stagnant water

🦟 These mosquitoes prefer to bite people, and live both indoors and outdoors near people

🦟 Mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya and zika viruses, bite during the day and night

🦟 Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

FROM MOTHER TO CHILD:

🦟 A pregnant women already infected with dengue can pass the virus to her foetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth.

THROUGH INFECTED BLOOD, LABORATORY OR HEALTHCARE SETTING EXPOSURE:

🦟 Rarely, dengue can be spread through blood transfusion, organ transplant or through a needle stick injury.

SYMPTOMS:

• Nausea, Vomiting

• Rash

• Aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain)

• Any warning signs

Symptoms of dengue typically last 2-7 days. Most people will recover after about a week.

SEVERE DENGUE:

1 in 20 people can get affected with severe dengue. These are the warning signs in dengue fever.

• Belly pain, tenderness

• Vomiting (at least 3 times a day)

• Bleeding from the nose or gums

• Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool

• Feeling tired, restless, or irritable