Dengue is a viral infection caused by DENV virus. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Due to the severity of the muscular and joint pain, it is also referred to as break bone fever or dandy fever and due to the unusual duration, it is called a seven-day fever.

The majority of dengue patients exhibit minimal or no signs. When they do, symptoms typically appear four to ten days following exposure and continue for three to seven days and may include the following:

• High fever – The most typical sign.
• A terrible headache.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Skin rashes.
• Body ache.
• Eye pain.
• Joint pain.

There are four dengue viruses responsible for dengue fever, namely:

DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, DENV 4

The virus can spread to people in three different ways:

From a mosquito

• The Aedes species mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus bite humans and transmit the disease. It mostly happens throughout the rainy season.

From mother to child

• A pregnant woman who is infected with a dengue virus (DENV) can transmit the virus to her child during pregnancy or at the time of delivery.

Through contaminated blood

• Blood transfusion.
• Organ transplant.

The following steps can help a person prevent getting infected by the dengue virus:

• People should wear long sleeves, long trousers, socks, and shoes to cover themselves, especially if they are in an area where these mosquitoes are prevalent.
• Reduce mosquito breeding grounds – They lay eggs in standing water like the rainwater accumulated in containers like tubs or barrels, old tires, etc. To halt them from breeding and reduce their population, it is best to remove these habitats.
• To keep mosquitoes out of the house, fix any tears in the window nets, and if it is possible, keep the doors and windows closed.
• Pregnant women should try and avoid traveling to dengue-infested regions as much as possible.

Complications of severe dengue may include

• Seizures.
• Pneumonia.
• Liver failure.
• Heart disease.
• Internal bleeding.
• Blurred vision.
• Kidney damage.
• Inflamed testicles.