Dengue virus
Dengue virus is a type of virus that causes dengue fever, a disease that can range from mild to severe. Dengue virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species, that bite during the day. Dengue virus belongs to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, which also includes other mosquito-borne viruses such as yellow fever, West Nile and Zika1.
There are four known serotypes of dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4), and a possible fifth one (DENV-5) that has not been confirmed yet1. Each serotype can cause the same symptoms of dengue fever, but infection with one serotype does not provide lasting immunity to the others. This means that a person can get infected by dengue virus up to four or five times in their lifetime. Repeated infections increase the risk of developing severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which can be life-threatening2.
The symptoms of dengue fever usually appear 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. They may include high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, rash and bleeding from the nose, gums or skin32. Most people recover from dengue fever within a week or two, but some may experience fatigue for several weeks after. Severe dengue symptoms often occur after the fever goes away and may include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, blood in vomit or stool, difficulty in breathing and shock32. Severe dengue requires immediate medical attention and hospitalization.
There is no specific treatment for dengue fever or severe dengue. The main goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and prevent complications. Painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) can be used to reduce fever and pain, but aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided as they can increase the risk of bleeding32. Fluids and electrolytes should be given to prevent dehydration and shock. Blood transfusions may be needed in cases of severe bleeding or low platelet count. Oxygen therapy may be required for patients with difficulty in breathing.
The best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that carry the virus. This can be done by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, sleeping under mosquito nets and eliminating mosquito breeding sites such as stagnant water32. There is also a vaccine called Dengvaxia that can protect against dengue virus for people who have had a previous infection and live in areas where the disease is common. However, the vaccine is not recommended for people who have never had dengue before as it may increase the risk of severe dengue2.
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