Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness of sudden onset that usually follows with headache, fever, exhaustion, severe joint and muscle pain, swollen glands, and rash. Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are caused by any of four different viruses, and are transmitted from one person to another by the female mosquito the Aedes aegypti. The incubation period (time between infection and onset of symptoms) of dengue fever is five to eight days. The fever typically runs its course in six to seven days, but convalescence is usually slow. Dengue Fever starts with chills, headache, pain upon moving the eyes, and low backache. Painful aching in the legs and joints occurs during the first hours of illness. The temperature rises quickly as high as 104° F (40° C), with relative low heart rate and low blood pressure. The eyes become reddened. A flushing or pale pink rash comes over the face and then disappears. The glands (lymph nodes) in the neck and groin are often swollen. Fever and other signs of dengue last for two to four days, followed by rapid drop in temperature with profuse sweating. The transmission of the virus to mosquitoes must be interrupted to prevent the illness. The prevention of dengue requires control or eradication of the mosquitoes carrying the virus that causes dengue. In nations plagued by dengue fever, people are urged to empty stagnant water from old tires, trash cans, and flower pots. Wear long pants and long sleeves. The most effective preventive measure is the use of mosquito repellent. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a daytime biter with peak periods of biting around sunrise and sunset. It may bite at any time of the day and is often hidden inside homes or other dwellings, especially in urban areas. That’s why it’s a must to clean your surroundings.
