Unexplained post-acute infection syndromes
Dengue Fever Spreads Across Kozhikode: Health Officials Affected
Kozhikode: Dengue fever is rapidly spreading in the Chalappuram area, impacting both hospital staff and residents. Four doctors and nine staff members at the ESI Hospital are undergoing treatment for dengue, with cases reported since Oct. 20. The initial cases were traced to migrant workers from other states who are working on the construction of the ESI hospital building, while several nearby residents have since tested positive.
Among those infected are four doctors, one nurse, two pharmacists, and two sanitation workers. Following notification of the city's health department, mosquito-control fogging operations were conducted in the area. Hospital staff have requested that additional fogging be carried out inside the hospital on days when it is closed.
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Residents have reported an increase in mosquito infestations over the past week, attributing the surge to waterlogged areas around Chalappuram. The neighborhood, home to numerous houses and apartment complexes, continues to face challenges as local officials are urged to implement further mosquito control measures.
Symptoms of dengue include severe headache, joint and muscle pain, a measles-like rash on the chest and face, persistent vomiting, coughing up blood, gum bleeding, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, reduced urine output, and cold extremities.
To prevent dengue, residents are advised to eliminate mosquito breeding areas and maintain environmental cleanliness. Those working outdoors should wear clothing that fully covers their arms and legs. Workers are also urged to avoid handling sewage when they have open cuts on their arms and legs.
Dengue Cases Soar: Know About Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention Tips
National capital New Delhi has been witnessing a surge in the number of dengue cases in 2024. As of November 9, Delhi reported 4,533 dengue cases, with 472 new cases reported just last week. There have been three deaths attributed to the disease. However, compared to last year, this year's numbers show a significant decrease. In 2023, Delhi had reported 9,266 dengue cases and 19 deaths, highlighting the progress made in controlling the outbreak.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been proactive in taking measures to curb the spread of dengue. Despite this, it's essential for residents to remain vigilant and follow preventive measures to further reduce the risk.
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Let's take a look at some FAQs about dengue to help you understand the disease better and take necessary precautions.
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted primarily by the Aedes mosquito, causing symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe illness. The spread of dengue has been increasing in recent years with repeated outbreaks from many States and newer areas. At present, except Ladakh all the states and Union Territories are reporting dengue cases. The disease develops 5-6 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
What are the signs and symptoms of dengue?
Common signs of dengue include:
Dengue is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person already infected with the dengue virus. Once the mosquito is infected, it can transmit the virus to other humans through subsequent bites.
What do dengue-transmitting mosquitoes look like?
The Aedes mosquito is easily recognizable by its black and white striped legs and distinctive white markings on its body. They are also known as tiger mosquitoes. They are active during the daytime, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.
Where do these mosquitoes breed?
Dengue-transmitting mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Common breeding sites include- flower pots and plant saucers, water storage containers, old tyres, gutters and drains, and pools and water tanks with stagnant water. It is crucial to eliminate these breeding grounds to control the mosquito population.
Do's and Don'ts to prevent dengue
Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue. Most cases of dengue fever can be treated at home with pain medicine. Supportive care is the key to recovery.
Treatment typically involves:
Dengue Fever
Dengue (pronounced DEN-gee) fever is a mosquito-borne disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. You get dengue fever through the bite of an aedes mosquito infected with a dengue virus. The mosquito becomes infected when it bites a person with dengue virus in their blood. It can't be spread directly from one person to another person.
About 400 million people worldwide are infected with dengue virus each year, and 100 million become mildly to severely ill with dengue fever. Most cases happen in tropical areas, such as Southeast Asia, the western Pacific islands, Latin America, and Africa. Cases in the U.S. Are often in people who contracted the infection while traveling abroad. But the risk of getting dengue virus is increasing in parts of the southern U.S.
Dengue viruses come in four types, which doctors call serotypes:
All four serotypes are similar. They spread in the same parts of the world and cause the same symptoms. But each virus reacts differently to antibodies — proteins your immune system makes to protect you against germs.
Malaria is another disease that spreads through the bite of infected mosquitoes in tropical countries. A different type of mosquito carries each disease. Aedes mosquitoes spread the virus that causes dengue fever. Female anopheles mosquitoes carry the parasite that transmits malaria.
Both infections cause a high fever and headache, which can make it hard to tell the two infections apart. Malaria also has symptoms such as:
Malaria causes more deaths worldwide than dengue fever, but it is preventable and treatable. There isn't a specific treatment for dengue fever.
Symptoms, which usually begin 4-10 days after infection, may include:
Sometimes, symptoms are mild and easy to mistake for those of the flu or another viral infection. Younger children and people who have never had dengue fever before tend to have milder cases than older children and adults.
Sometimes, mild cases can become more severe and turn into dengue hemorrhagic fever. It's a rare complication with symptoms such as:
The infection may lead to severe bleeding, shock, and death. This is called dengue shock syndrome (DSS). It's important to get medical attention right away if you have these symptoms.
Doctors can diagnose dengue infection with a blood test to check for the virus or antibodies to it. If you become sick after traveling to a tropical area, inform your doctor. Tests can show whether a dengue infection caused your symptoms.
Dengue fever tests
A few tests can help your doctor diagnose dengue fever, such as:
Serologic or antibody tests. These tests check a sample of your blood for antibodies, which are proteins your immune system makes against viruses such as dengue virus. The MAC-ELISA test detects proteins that fight dengue fever.
Molecular tests. These tests identify genetic material from the virus. The nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) first makes many copies of (amplifies) the virus's DNA. Amplifying the genetic material makes it easier to find very small amounts of dengue virus in a blood sample. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one type of NAAT.
Complete blood count (CBC). This test counts the number of cells in a sample of your blood. Dengue fever can cause a drop in white blood cells (which fight infection) and platelets (which prevent bleeding). A CBC can help your doctor predict how severe your infection could become.
There is no specific medicine to treat dengue infection. If you think you may have dengue fever, take pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), which could worsen bleeding. Rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If your symptoms are severe or they don't improve at home, call your doctor. You may need treatment in a hospital.
The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid bites from infected mosquitoes, especially if you are living in or traveling to a tropical area. This involves protecting yourself and making efforts to keep the mosquito population down.
To protect yourself:
To reduce the mosquito population, get rid of places where mosquitoes can breed. These include old tires, cans, or flower pots that collect rain. Regularly change the water in outdoor bird baths and pets' water dishes.
If someone in your home gets dengue fever, make an extra effort to protect yourself and other family members from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes that bite the infected family member could spread the infection to other people in your home.
Dengue vaccine
A vaccine called Dengvaxia can help prevent dengue in children aged 6 to 16 who have tested positive for the virus before and who live in areas where dengue spreads. The vaccine is about 80% effective, but children need three doses to get full protection against the virus.
The vaccine's manufacturer, Sanofi-Pasteur, has announced that it will stop making Dengvaxia due to a lack of demand. Another vaccine called Qdenga is licensed for children aged 6 to 16, but it's not available in the U.S. A third vaccine, TV005, is in clinical trials.
Severe dengue fever can cause complications such as:
The infection can be life-threatening if you don't treat it. If you're pregnant, you can spread the virus to your baby. Having dengue fever increases the risk of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight.
Dengue fever fatality rate
Worldwide, about 21,000 people die from dengue-related illness each year.
After an infection with one serotype of dengue fever, you'll have lifelong immunity to the virus. That means you can never get sick from that type of dengue again. You'll also be immune against the other three serotypes, but only temporarily. After a few months, you can get an infection with any of the other three types.
Dengue fever is a viral illness that mosquitoes spread in tropical areas of the world. The virus causes symptoms such as a high fever and painful headaches. Dengue fever is often mild and manageable at home with rest, pain relievers, and extra fluids. Severe cases may need treatment in a hospital.
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