Dengue Fever-> Home Remedies, Treatment, Precautions

What is Dengue?

Dengue is an acute, febrile illness caused by one of four strains of dengue viruses (DENV). The illness is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, headache, myalgia, and rash. This is followed by the appearance of mild hemorrhagic manifestations in the majority of patients (about 80%). The classic dengue fever (DF) is rarely fatal, but more severe forms of the disease are common.

Dengue, also known as “breakbone fever,” is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, where its primary carrier is the Aedes aegypti mosquito. There are four variants of the virus, though not all four are found in all geographic areas. Dengue is most commonly found in Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle, and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. This last feature gave dengue the nickname “breakbone fever” when it was first described in the Caribbean during the slave trade. The disease spreads easily between humans because the female mosquito that spreads dengue bites during the day as well as at night.

Dengue fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus (DENV). It is spread to people by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Dengue fever is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world today. Dengue fever is endemic in more than 110 countries.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Dengue fever is an illness caused by any one of four related dengue viruses (DENV 1,2,3,4). The viruses are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

 

Incubation period: 

3 to 14 days, commonly 4 to 7 days. (time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)
Infectious period:
A mosquito becomes infected if it bites an infected person while the fever is present (an average period of about 3 to 5 days).
After biting an infected person it takes 8 to 12 days before the mosquito can infect other people.
The mosquito remains infectious for life.
Dengue fever is not directly spread from person to person.

Symptoms of Dengue

• When you have dengue, you will show a variety of symptoms. The most common include a high fever, nausea and vomiting, and joint pain. You may also feel weak and have a rash. The symptoms may last for a few days to a week.
• When someone has dengue, they have a fever and other flu-like symptoms. This isn't the full-blown flu, though. It's a viral infection. For this reason, it's often called 'the flu in a mosquito bite'.
• One of the first symptoms of dengue fever is a sudden, high fever. Other symptoms include a rash, joint pain, and a headache. Some people also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• When you have dengue, you have a slight fever and some other symptoms such as a headache, muscle and joint aches, and a rash. You might also have a slight rash on your torso or face.
• You have a fever and aching muscles. You feel sick and have a headache. You have a rash. You have a sore throat, muscle aches, and joint pain.

Treatment of Dengue

The best treatments for dengue are symptomatic. There are four approved drugs for the treatment of dengue fever: a single dose of a drug called chloroquine phosphate, a combination of doxycycline and paracetamol, a combination of doxycycline and acetaminophen, and a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Each of these drugs will help to alleviate symptoms and reduce fever. Although there is no cure for dengue fever, it can be treated if identified early.

There are four known serotypes of the virus that cause dengue fever, and symptoms usually include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle, and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. However, there are no known cures, and since symptoms usually last for two or three days, there is only really a way to treat the fever. The most common treatment is painkillers. People who have severe symptoms may need to be hospitalized, and in severe cases, a form of plasma therapy may be used.

Home Remedies for dengue fever

Usually, adequate hydration and pain control will help the person through the infection.

1. Geology

This herb, which has been used in Ayurvedic Rasayanas for centuries, is very helpful in building up the immune system and the body's defense against infecting organisms.

2. Papaya Leaves:

Although the exact pathway is unclear, papaya leaves are widely known as being a natural cure for dengue fever. The complex mix of nutrients and organic compounds in papayas can cause a rise in your platelet count, the high levels of vitamin C help stimulate the immune system. The leaves can be crushed and then strained with a cloth to drink the pure juice.

3. Orange Juice:

A rich mixture of antioxidants and vitamins is found in orange juice.

4. Basil Leaves

Basil leaves are very helpful in dengue. May be used with warm water as a tea.

Precautions from dengue

The best way to prevent dengue is to prevent mosquito bites. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors. Drain standing water where mosquitoes breed, including in old tires, tin cans, or other containers. Eliminate all possible mosquito breeding sites, because even a small puddle of water can be a breeding site for mosquitoes.

Dengue, also known as breakbone fever, is a viral disease caused by any of four related dengue viruses. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. Typically they are milder than those of influenza and may be mistaken for signs of a common cold. They include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, and rash.

It is likely that by the time you read this, you will have already seen a news report or two about the dengue outbreak in Singapore. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has been very active in their efforts to raise awareness among the public, especially those living near mosquito breeding grounds, by distributing pamphlets and other materials. Though the ongoing efforts are commendable, it would be pertinent to remember that it was only in 2014 that the National Environment Agency (NEA) started a concerted drive to deal with mosquito breeding grounds.