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Diseases Caused by Viruses > Dengue Fever

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Estimated time: 10 minutes
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

Dengue fever (also known as break-bone fever) is a painful, debilitating vector-borne infectious tropical disease.

Causative Agent:

  • It is caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses (DEN or Flavivirus).

Nature:

  • Humans are the primary host of the virus.
  • It cannot spread directly from one person to another person.

Flavivirus

CISCE: Class 12

Symptoms

  • Sudden onset of fever (febrile phase involves high fever, often over 104°F, usually lasting two to seven days).
  • Headache (typically located behind the eyes).
  • Muscle and joint pains (which gives it the alternate name "break-bone fever").
  • Rash (occurs in the first or second day as flushed skin, or later on days 4–7 as a measles-like rash).
  • Severe haemorrhage.
CISCE: Class 12

Transmission

  • Primarily transmitted through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes, particularly A. aegypti.
  • These mosquitoes bite primarily during the day.
  • An infection can be acquired via a single bite.
  • A female mosquito takes up the virus when it sucks the blood of an infected person. About 8–10 days later, the virus spreads to the mosquito’s salivary glands and is released into its saliva.
  • It can also be transmitted via infected blood products and through organ donation.
CISCE: Class 12

Treatment

  • There is no specific treatment and no vaccine for dengue fever.
  • Treatment of acute dengue is supportive.
  • Oral or intravenous rehydration is used for mild or moderate disease.
  • Intravenous fluids and blood transfusions are used for more severe cases.
  • Paracetamol is given for fever and discomfort.
CISCE: Class 12

Prevention

  • Elimination of mosquitoes.
  • Reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes.
  • Limiting exposure to mosquito bites.
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Dengue fever

Aspect Dengue Fever
Cause Viral infection caused by Dengue virus (Flavivirus)
Transmission Bite of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito
Symptoms High fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, bleeding in severe cases
Treatment Supportive care, fluids, paracetamol, blood transfusion in severe cases
Prevention Elimination of mosquitoes and prevention of mosquito bites
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