Dengue Fever

[tan_md]

Hi all, I am a physician from Singapore.

Just want to share with doctors from all over the world something about dengue fever which is very common in South-East Asia. This is an infectious disease caused by Dengue Virus which has 4 serotypes. It causes thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage and plasma leaking. Treatment is only symptomatic and rehydration. Interestingly, the critical period is not during the febrile phase but 24 to 48 hours after the fever subsides. This is the period where complications like third space fluid loss, hemorrhage, low platelets occurs. If patient's platelet increases and hematocrit decreases after 48 hours of being afebrile, he is said to have passed the dangerous phase and usually can be safely discharged.

Do share with us your experience and opinion regarding dengue fever here.

Dr Tan, MD

[amanda]

Dengue is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue. Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue the name "breakbone fever." Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children.

[galdylan]

The classic dengue rash is a generalized macromolecular rash with islands of sparing.Dengue fever is a disease caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes.A rapid rise in urban mosquito populations is bringing ever greater numbers of people into contact with this vector, especially in areas that are favourable for mosquito breeding.