Health Encyclopedia

Home | List of Topics | General Medical Information | Infectious Diseases

Dengue fever

Definition

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

See also: Dengue hemorrhagic fever

Alternative Names

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

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

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

Signs and tests

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

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.

Expectations (prognosis)

Full recovery is expected.

Complications

• Febrile convulsions
• Severe dehydration

Calling your health care provider

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

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.

Review Date:6/20/2007
Reviewed By:Monica Gandhi MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases,UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.