Dengue Virus Infection
We are all aware about dengue infection and all of us are concerned most especially now because the census of dengue infection has increased with reported mortalities.
So, once again let us revisit dengue virus infection.
Dengue fever is a tropical disease caused by different strains of dengue virus transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. The most efficient vector is the female Aedes egypti. This is a domestic, day biting and low flying mosquito and it loves to stay and to thrive in standing waters like flower vases, empty tins , old tires and other receptacles in the yard. They also love to stay in dark cold places.
Once an individual is bitten by this Aedes egypti female mosquito with dengue virus, there will be an incubation period of 4 to 6 days before the individual will present signs and symptoms. Once the virus is present in the blood of the infected individual, this is already the acute phase of the disease. After this phase, the patient will manifest clinically the following:
– high grade fever
– headache especially frontal headache
– body malaise
– poor appetite
– vomiting
– abdominal pain
– and the patient is flushed in appearance and this is what pediatricians have noticed among them, the “ dengue look”.
This dengue virus infection will now present vaguely, and because of this, clinicians will request for a complete blood count for all patients who have on and off fever for more than 48 hours and with regular monitoring if the initial count is within normal. If a patient has fever even if he is presenting with cough, colds and watery stools, it is good that the patient will get an initial complete blood count.
Patients diagnosed with dengue are monitored closely as to their clinical manifestations. Even if their platelets are below normal (150), but the hematocrit is stable and the patient is active, eating well, and with good urine output, then, the patient can stay at home with instructions to have monitoring of their complete blood count.
These patients are advised to get a good rest and good intake of fluids. The fluids recommended for the pediatric age group are the following:
– oresol
– hydrite
– pedialyte
– vivalyte
– and hydro aid
– and other oral rehydration solutions approved by the Department of Health.
So, sport drinks are not for children!
These children with dengue and are active and will recover are diagnosed to have Dengue Fever without warning signs.
So, what is Dengue fever with warning signs? The warning signs of dengue fever are:
1. Headache, frontal is common
2. Muscle weakness and joint pains
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Mucosal bleeding or epistaxis
5. Abdominal pain
6. In the CBC, there is increasing hematocrit and decreasing platelet
7. Poor appetite
Children who are having fever and with concomitant symptoms and signs as mentioned above, are for admission and close monitoring.
Since, dengue infection is spread through the bite of an Aedes egypti mosquito with the dengue virus, it can be controlled if we will search the place where mosquitoes can thrive and we should destroy their habitat by cleaning our surroundings.
Other protective measures of great value are the following:
– wearing of long pajamas and pants
– window / door screening
– avoiding the peak time of these mosquitoes
– application of recommended anti mosquito repellents