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Classic dengue: symptoms, contagion and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Dengue is a prevalent infectious disease in tropical and subtropical countries. However, it has also spread to regions such as the United States or Canada in recent years, increasing its spread worldwide. This condition is transmitted by the bite of the previously infected female Aedes Aegypti mosquito, and although the insect carries the state, it does not affect it at all. In principle, classic dengue is a condition that deserves care but is not serious unless it progresses to dengue hemorrhagic fever, in which case there are more significant health risks. This disease is incredibly delicate when the patients are babies, children, and the elderly, so precautions and care must be maximized.

In this FastlyHealarticle we explain classic dengue symptoms, contagion, and treatment.

Dengue contagion

Dengue is a disease that occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical countries where there are sweltering and humid conditions for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito to spread. This insect becomes a carrier of dengue when it bites a human infected with the virus; from that moment, all humans bitten by that mosquito will be infected with this condition.

Once an infected mosquito bites us, the first symptoms will appear between 4 and 7 days after the infection occurs. This virus affects the count of our platelets, causing their levels to decrease, which allows the appearance of the main symptoms linked to this disease. Because a good level of platelets is essential for proper blood clotting, when they drop below 10,000 mcL, we run the risk of severe internal bleeding, known as hemorrhagic dengue.

Because preventing the contagion or spread of this virus is not an easy task, the support of the entire community is required to avoid the spread of mosquito breeding sites such as stagnant waters or non-fumigated green areas. It is also essential that local health agencies stay aware of possible outbreaks of this condition to control them effectively.

Dengue types and immunity

There are 4 types of dengue: DEN_1, DEN_2, DEN_3, DEN_4. Once we become infected with any of them, we will develop immunity to that specific strain. However, we will run the risk that if we contract dengue again and it is another type, there is a greater possibility of presenting dengue hemorrhagic fever, which warrants hospitalization. It can put our health at significant risk.

In these cases, it is necessary to increase precautions and be very attentive to dengue symptoms to attend to anyone who may have been infected a second time in time, something that can happen especially in areas where the presence of Aedes Aegypti is essential.

Dengue is NOT spread by:

  • Direct contact with someone infected.
  • For sharing personal items with a patient.
  • Through kisses or sexual contact.

Dengue symptoms

The symptoms of dengue usually appear between 4 and 7 days after infection and can last up to 1 week. A high fever characterizes the onset of this disease, generally at 40º C, that appears suddenly; this is accompanied by other signs such as:

  • Low platelets cause fatigue.
  • Intense headache.
  • Pain in the eye sockets.
  • Muscle pain and general discomfort.
  • Swelling of the lymph nodes.
  • Loss of appetite
  • A few days after the onset of fever, a slight skin rash may appear, a characteristic sign of this condition.

This picture, which can be confused by some with the simple flu, can vary in intensity depending on how much the platelets fall. If they drop to an alarming level, the patient may also experience bleeding in the gums, in the nose, in the stool, or through the urine, along with exacerbated fatigue, fever, and significant discomfort. Faced with this picture, it is vital to go immediately to a health center. If internal bleeding worsens without medical attention, there is a risk of falling into shock and even death.

How dangerous is classic dengue?

In general terms, classic dengue is a condition that can be very annoying for the patient whose high fever, body aches, and lack of appetite will force him to complete rest. Despite this, and as long as adequate hydration is maintained and proper rest is done, this condition does not usually represent any danger.

The virus heals independently and without treatment; however, infants, young children, and the elderly are the highest risk group and require significant care. They are constantly monitoring the temperature, taking measures so that the fever does not rise and offering adequate hydration and light food is essential to ensure recovery.

Classic dengue only becomes dangerous if it evolves into hemorrhagic dengue; however, these cases are a minority and can be controlled with adequate health care.

Dengue treatment

The dengue virus does not have a particular treatment; this condition disappears by itself from our body generally after seven days. However, you can take medication to reduce the symptoms associated with this condition, such as fever, headaches, or muscle aches; in these cases, over-the-counter antipyretics such as paracetamol or acetaminophen are the most indicated medications.

You should never take aspirin or painkillers such as ibuprofen, this type of medication makes it difficult for the blood to clot, which can be potentially dangerous in cases of dengue in which, precisely, the body faces the condition of not being able to clot the blood well due to decreased platelets.

In addition to medication to control fever, some valuable recommendations will facilitate the recovery of the patient and guarantee their health, keep reading because, in the next step, we explain what you should know.

Recommendations to recover soon

To recover from classic dengue, it is essential that:

  • Keep rest; rest is necessary to increase your platelet count and overcome this virus.
  • Stay adequately hydrated, do not forget that drinking water in small sips constantly will not only help you lower your fever but will also allow you to avoid dangerous dehydration. Other foods like chicken broth can improve your hydration and provide you with helpful nutrients.
  • You can take lukewarm baths to lower fever and decrease muscle pain. This will also help you feel comforted.
  • Even if you don’t have an appetite, eating a little will help you stay strong against this disease. Natural juices, soups, broths, soda or crackers, and lightly toasted bread are excellent alternatives to eat.
  • Additionally, some foods can help you improve your platelet count and increase it, which will promote your recovery. In our article Food to raise platelets, we explain what they are.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Classic Dengue: symptoms, contagion and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Immune System category .

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