MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dengue fever

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Dengue fever

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition Causes Symptoms Exams and Tests	Treatment Outlook (Prognosis) Possible Complications When to Contact a Medical Professional Prevention

Illustrations

Mosquito, adult feeding on the skin

Dengue fever

Alternative Names Return to top

O'nyong-nyong fever; Dengue-like disease; Breakbone fever

Definition Return to top

Dengue fever is a virus-based disease spread by mosquitoes.

See also: Dengue hemorrhagic fever

Causes Return to top

Dengue fever is caused by several related viruses (four different arboviruses). It is spread by the bite of mosquitoes, most commonly the mosquito Aedes aegypti, which found in tropic and subtropic regions. This includes parts of:

Southeast Asia
Indonesian archipelago into northeastern Australia
Sub-Saharan Africa
South and Central America

Dengue fever is being seen more in world travelers. It is generally lasts a week or more. Although uncomfortable, it is not deadly. The proper diagnosis depend on whether you tell your doctor about any visits to areas of the world where dengue fever is known to occur.

Dengue fever should not be confused with Dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is a separate disease and frequently deadly.

Symptoms Return to top

Dengue fever begins with a sudden high fever, often to 104-105 degrees Fahrenheit.

A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body early during the fever. A second rash, measles-like in appearance, appears later in the disease. Infected people may have increased skin sensitivity and are very uncomfortable.

Other symptoms include:

Headache
Joint aches
Muscle aches
Nausea
Swollen lymph nodes
Vomiting

Exams and Tests Return to top

Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:

Complete blood count
Serology studies to look for antibodies to dengue viruses
Antibody titer for dengue virus types

Treatment Return to top

There is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Fluids are necessary if there are signs of dehydration. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is used to treat a high fever. Aspirin should be avoided.

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Full recovery is expected.

Possible Complications Return to top

Febrile convulsions
Severe dehydration

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have travelled in an area where dengue fever is known to occur and have developed symptoms of the disease.

Prevention Return to top

Clothing, mosquito repellent, and netting can help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Traveling during periods of minimal mosquito activity can also be helpful.

Mosquito abatement programs may reduce the risk of infection.

Update Date: 6/20/2007

Updated by: Monica Gandhi MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases,UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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