What Is Dengue Fever?
Dengue (DEN-gee) fever is a tropical disease caused by a virus carried by mosquitoes.
The virus can cause fever, headaches, rashes, and pain throughout the body. Most cases
of dengue fever are mild and go away on their own after about a week.
Dengue fever rarely strikes in the United States — the last reported outbreak
was in Texas in 2005. But if you plan to travel to a foreign country, especially one
in the tropics, it's wise to guard against dengue fever. Wearing insect repellent,
covering sleep areas with netting, and avoiding the outdoors at dusk and dawn (when
mosquitoes are most active) can help lower the chances of infection.
What Causes Dengue Fever?
Dengue fever is caused by four similar viruses spread by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes,
which are common in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide.
When an Aedes mosquito bites a person who has been infected with a dengue
virus, the mosquito can become a carrier of the virus. If this mosquito bites someone
else, that person can be infected with dengue fever. The virus can't spread directly
from person to person.
In rare cases, dengue fever can lead to a more serious form of the disease called
dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DHF can be life-threatening and needs to be treated
right away.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Dengue Fever?
Symptoms of dengue fever are generally mild in younger children and those who have
the disease for the first time. Older kids, adults, and those who have had a previous
infection may have moderate to severe symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms of dengue fever include:
- high fever, possibly
as high as 105°F (40°C)
- pain behind the eyes and in the joints, muscles and/or bones
- severe headache
- rash over most of the body
- mild bleeding from the nose or gums
- bruising easily
Dengue fever used to be called "breakbone fever," which might give you an idea
of the severe bone and muscle pain it sometimes can cause. The fever isn't actually
breaking any bones, but it can sometimes feel like it is.
How Long Does Dengue Fever Last?
Symptoms can start anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks after being bitten by an infected
mosquito, and typically last for 2 to 7 days.
After the fever eases, other symptoms can get worse and may cause more severe bleeding;
gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, or severe abdominal (belly) pain;
and respiratory problems like difficulty breathing. Dehydration,
heavy bleeding, and a rapid drop in blood pressure (shock) can follow if DHF goes
untreated. These symptoms are life-threatening and need immediate medical care.
Someone who's had the illness becomes immune to that particular type of the virus
(but can still be infected by any of the other three types).
How Is Dengue Fever Diagnosed?
If you think your child might have dengue fever, call a doctor right away. You
should also call a doctor if your child has recently been to a region that has dengue
fever and has a fever or severe headache.
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will examine your child and evaluate the symptoms.
The doctor will ask about your child's medical history and recent travels, and send
a blood sample for testing.