• Published on: Oct 22, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

What Are The Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Of Dengue Fever?

  • WhatsApp share link icon
  • copy & share link icon
  • twitter share link icon
  • facebook share link icon

What are the Symptoms, causes & treatment of Dengue fever?

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that's becoming more common in many parts of the world.

A severe flu-like illness with muscle and joint pain, rash, headaches, nausea, and vomiting can be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms which include inflammation of the eye or gums causing pus build-up or tooth loss. Visiting a doctor is advisable if the headache lasts for more than 3 days; there are sudden meteors in vision;

The virus lives inside mosquitoes and is transmitted to humans through their saliva when they take a blood meal from an infected person. Vivax mosquitos tend to bite both day time and night time, while Aegypti mosquito prefers only night time

Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is spread to people through mosquito bites.

The four types of dengue virus cause similar illnesses however the risk for severe disease and death increases with successive infections due to how it affects your body's immune system. The most common symptoms include high fever, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting (only in some cases), fatigue or lack of strength (maybe unrelated), pain behind the eyes (called "photophobia"), and rashes on arms, legs buttocks.

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Rash on the wrists, arms, legs & trunk of the body.
  • Joint pain or muscle pain
  • Nausea

Treatment: Pain medications and fluids to maintain adequate hydration. Low platelet count requires blood transfusion for carriers of thalassemia. Low platelet count is treated with plasma exchange therapy or immune globulin infusions. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also treatable but the outcomes are bad if not caught early on. Death rate increases with the severity of dengue infection (DHF). DHF patients need IV fluids, clean water preparation techniques, antibiotics, antiemetics, and antipyretics; ideally in a hospital setting.

Dengue Fever is a viral infection transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. The virus infects the human ribonucleic acid (RNA) and affects platelets which become unstable and may lead to internal bleeding.

Symptoms of dengue fever include the following: high fevers which can reach up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pains, skin rash that looks like measles, or prickly heat. In some cases, it may be necessary for patients who experience unusual bleeding or persistent vomiting to get fluids intravenously (IV). For severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary with supportive measures such as maintaining fluid levels with IV fluids and careful monitoring of blood pressure.

Very feverish and break out in a rash. Treatment for Dengue Fever is rest, fluids, and aspirin or paracetamol to relieve pain. If someone has a loss of appetite or is unable to keep down fluids, seek medical help right away. Otherwise drink plenty of fluid such as water, cordial lime drinks such as Fanta. Avoid alcohol and caffeine because there can be low blood pressure associated with this illness which will cause more dehydration while worsening the symptoms. Symptoms usually start between 4-7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito but may start anytime from 14-22 days following a bite from an infected mosquito depending on what type of virus was transmitted that infection period depends on your immune system.

Dengue fever is an infection of the human body by one of four closely related dengue viruses. It's typically carried by mosquitoes, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The symptoms which are experienced are fevers, joint pains, severe headache, nausea, at times secondary bacterial infections that can be fatal to sufferers with other pre-existing health conditions. Diagnosis is through blood tests following possible exposure. Prevention involves mosquito control measures such as mosquito repellents and the elimination of mosquito breeding grounds. There is no universally accepted treatment for this particular illness yet though there have been trials done on animals so there might be after all good news for us down the road.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease. Signs and symptoms may include mild fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches, joint pains, nausea, or vomiting. The key to treatment is prevention against mosquitoes through avoidance of mosquito bites and use of insect repellents.

Mild cases usually get better without any specific treatment by 6 to 10 days. Use painkillers for the headache, drink plenty of fluids for persistent vomiting or nausea or other signs that develop after ten days or more that are not improving gradually on their own. Seek immediate medical attention if you have difficulty breathing(especially when accompanied by a cough), your skin is clammy with generalized discomfort("body aches"), unusual bleeding.

There are many symptoms of dengue fever, including headaches, nausea, and vomiting, pain behind the eyes both at rest and with movement. Joint pains are common too. There is no specific way to prevent dengue but prevention can be attempted through controlling mosquito populations in urban areas. There's no specific treatment available for this disease, though once it begins to recede patients can use acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The fever is as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit and causes debilitation, dehydration, abdominal pain and headache. The Dengue virus causes the flu-like illness Dengue Fever. Symptoms include a sudden high fever accompanied by headaches, muscle aches, and extreme tiredness. It might seem like a minor cold but it can be potentially fatal and needs to be treated as an emergency if not diagnosed correctly in time.

This mosquito-borne disease also has far more serious consequences including internal bleeding called dengue hemorrhagic fever that can lead to death from shock or multiple organ failure after subsequent infection with other bacteria or parasites from contaminated surfaces such as water droplets on door handles of public buildings.

Dengue fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever and quickly becomes life-threatening, resulting in an extremely high mortality rate. Symptoms include high fever, skin rash (large red patches), joint pain, headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle and bone aches. Treatment includes keeping fluids up by taking electrolyte drinks such as Pedialyte or Gatorade which supplies the water and sodium your body needs to function properly. Avoid sugar drinks because they can make you sicker if you're not getting enough sugar. Get plenty of rest and lots of hydration for the best results!

Read Blog
HPV Vaccine: Why It Matters in India

HPV Vaccine: Why It Matters in India

Introduction

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. Every year, thousands of lives are lost to a disease that is almost entirely preventable. The main culprit behind cervical cancer is a virus called HPV, or Human Papillomavirus. Fortunately, there is a powerful tool available to fight this threat: the HPV vaccine. In this blog, we'll explore what the HPV vaccine is, how it works, and why it matters so much in India today.

 

What is HPV?

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. It is a group of over 100 viruses, some of which can lead to cancer. HPV is mainly spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. While most HPV infections go away on their own, some types can cause cervical cancer, as well as other cancers like vaginal, vulvar, anal, and throat cancer.

 

How the HPV Vaccine Works

The HPV vaccine helps the body develop immunity against the most dangerous types of HPV. It contains harmless virus-like particles that train the immune system to fight the real virus. This means if you are exposed to HPV later in life, your body will know how to fight it off before it can cause harm.

There are several types of HPV vaccines available. The most common ones are:

  • Cervarix

  • Gardasil

  • Cervavac (India's indigenous, affordable vaccine)
     

These vaccines are safe, effective, and approved by health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

Why the HPV Vaccine is Crucial for India

India has the highest number of cervical cancer cases in the world. It is estimated that one woman dies every 8 minutes from cervical cancer in the country. This is a serious public health issue, especially because most of these deaths can be prevented with vaccination and regular screening.

Here are some reasons why the HPV vaccine is so important for India:

  1. High Burden of Disease: Cervical cancer accounts for nearly 20% of all female cancer deaths in India.
     

  2. Lack of Awareness: Many people are unaware of HPV and the vaccine, especially in rural areas.
     

  3. Limited Access to Screening: Regular Pap smears and HPV tests are not easily available in many parts of India.
     

  4. Young Population: With a large adolescent population, early vaccination can have a major impact on future health.
     

Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before exposure to the virus. That’s why it is recommended for:

  • Girls and boys aged 9 to 14 years (ideal age group)
     

  • Young women up to 26 years old who haven’t been vaccinated
     

  • Young men up to 21 years old in some cases
     

It’s a two-dose vaccine for children under 15 and a three-dose schedule for older age groups.

 

Is the Vaccine Safe?

Yes. The HPV vaccine is very safe. Millions of doses have been given around the world with excellent safety records. Side effects are generally mild and include:

  • Pain or swelling at the injection site

  • Headache or mild fever

  • Fatigue
     

These effects usually go away in a day or two. Serious side effects are extremely rare.

 

Cost and Availability in India

One of the major concerns for many families is the cost of the vaccine. Fortunately, India has taken big steps to make the HPV vaccine more affordable:

  • Cervavac, developed by India’s Serum Institute, costs around Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 per dose.
     

  • Gardasil and Cervarix, available in private hospitals, may cost Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 4,000 per dose.
     

The government is also working to include the HPV vaccine in the national immunization program, especially for adolescent girls.

 

Common Myths About the HPV Vaccine

There are many myths and misconceptions that stop people from getting vaccinated. Let’s clear up a few:

  • Myth: It’s only for girls.
     

    • Fact: Boys should also get vaccinated to prevent other types of cancers.
       

  • Myth: It causes infertility.
     

    • Fact: There is no evidence linking the vaccine to fertility problems.
       

  • Myth: It’s not needed if you're not sexually active.
     

    • Fact: The vaccine works best before exposure to HPV, ideally before any sexual activity.
       

How SecondMedic Can Help

SecondMedic is committed to helping you and your family stay healthy. We offer:

  • Online doctor consultations to discuss the HPV vaccine
     

  • Help locating nearby clinics that provide the vaccine
     

  • Regular health checkup packages including cervical screening
     

Conclusion

The HPV vaccine is a simple, safe, and effective way to prevent one of the deadliest cancers affecting women in India. With increasing awareness, affordability, and government support, there has never been a better time to take action. Protect yourself and your loved ones by learning more and getting vaccinated today.

If you’re ready to make a difference in your health journey, reach out to SecondMedic to learn more about HPV Vaccine: Why It Matters in India.

See all

Live Doctor consultation
Live Doctor Chat

Download Our App & Get Consultation from anywhere.

App Download
call icon for mobile number calling and whatsapp at secondmedic