Dengue fever is a disease caused by a virus of the family Flaviviridae. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. The illness caused by the dengue virus affects infants, young children, and adults with symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening. Dengue fever can lead to severe bleeding, organ failure, and death. Early diagnosis and treatment of dengue fever is essential to preventing serious complications. There is no specific cure for dengue fever, but early diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of recovery.
Dengue fever was first described in medical literature in 1779 by Dr. Benjamin Rush, a physician from Philadelphia who noted an increase in cases of “breakbone fever” during the American Revolution. The first recorded outbreak of dengue fever occurred in 1780-1781 in Philadelphia. Since then, outbreaks have been reported throughout the world in tropical and subtropical regions including Africa, Southeast Asia, India, China, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central America, South America, Mexico ,and Haiti . Outbreaks have also occurred in temperate zones such as Europe (Madrid ,1973) and North America (New Orleans ,1934). In recent years there has been an increase in travel to and from areas where dengue fever is endemic which has resulted in imported cases of dengue fever being diagnosed in non-endemic countries such as Australia , Canada , Japan , Singapore , United States .
The incubation period for dengue fever is 3-14 days after exposure to a mosquito carrying the virus. The illness typically begins abruptly with high Fever lasting 2-7 days accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: Severe headache Back pain Muscle pain Joint pain Nausea Vomiting Rash These symptoms are similar to those seen in other viral illnesses such as influenza (flu) or mononucleosis . Dengue Fever should be considered if you develop these symptoms after traveling to an area where dengue virus transmission occurs or if you have had close contact with someone who has traveled to such an area within 21 days prior To becoming ill
A small percentage of people who become infected with Dengue virus will develop severe Dengue hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Deng