Dengue: All You Need to Know

Photo for representational purpose.

(Photo: iStock)

Towards the end of 2018, as many as 106 dengue cases were reported in Delhi in a week ending 15 September, according to a Hindustan Times report . Till early August, there were 56 cases recorded.

In 2017 over 33,964 cases of dengue were reported across India.

The World Health Organisation reports that about half of the world’s population is now at risk of getting infected by dengue, which causes 50 to 100 million infections per year worldwide.

While prevention is certainly the best form of fighting this deadly disease, it is important to know what the common symptoms are and the best possible way to deal with them.

What Are the Symptoms of Dengue?

Dengue fever, which is caused primarily by a virus, gets transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.(Photo: Rahul Gupta/FIT )

Dengue fever, which is caused primarily by a virus, gets transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The symptoms of dengue fever usually appear 4-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and usually last for 2-7 days. WHO recommends that dengue must be suspected when high fever is accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Severe headache, joint and muscle pains
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Mild bleeding

Also Read: Dengue, Chikungunya Are Preventable – Stop Pretending They Aren’t

Treatment for Dengue

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for dengue fever.(Photo: Rahul Gupta/FIT )

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for dengue fever. The most important precaution for dengue care is to make sure that the patient drinks plenty of fluids and is kept hydrated at all times. Patients are advised to see a doctor immediately who can prescribe necessary painkillers.

In an attempt to avoid improper consumption of pain relievers, the city government has banned over-the-counter sale of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and brufen.

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Also Read: How Much Do Delhiites Know About Dengue and Chikungunya?

What are the symptoms?

(Photo: Rahul Gupta/The Quint)

Dengue fever, which is caused primarily by a virus, gets transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

The symptoms of dengue fever usually appear 4-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and usually last for 2-7 days. WHO recommends that dengue must be suspected when high fever is accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Severe headache, joint and muscle pains
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Mild bleeding

Also Read: Dengue, Chikungunya Are Preventable – Stop Pretending They Aren’t

Treatment

(Photo: Rahul Gupta/The Quint)

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for dengue fever. The most important precaution for dengue care is to make sure that the patient drinks plenty of fluids and is kept hydrated at all times. Patients are advised to see a doctor immediately who can prescribe necessary painkillers.

In an attempt to avoid improper consumption of pain relievers, the city government has banned over-the-counter sale of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and brufen.

Also Read: How Much Do Delhiites Know About Dengue and Chikungunya?