<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, results from a mosquito-borne viral infection. It can lead to severe illness in some cases. Four different viruses can cause dengue fever, and Aedes mosquitoes transmit it.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Symptoms range of dengue fever from mild to severe. Severe symptoms can indicateTrusted Source dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). These require urgent medical attention.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source approved a vaccine for children ages 9–16 years who have had dengue in the past and live in areas where dengue is common. These areas include some United States territories.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">For most people, the best way to prevent dengue fever is to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">There is no cure for dengue fever. However, early recognition and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent fatalitiesTrusted Source.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">In 2021, there were 117 casesTrusted Source in the U.S. and 513 cases in all U.S. territories. Some cases were in people who had traveled abroad. However, 509 cases in Puerto Rico were not related to travel.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Symptoms of dengue fever will depend on the severity of the disease. Around 75% of peopleTrusted Source with dengue fever will not experience symptoms.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;Mild symptoms</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>If symptoms occur, there may be a sudden fever of around 104°F (40°C)Trusted Source with one or more of the following:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;aching muscles and joints</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;rash</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;pain behind the eyes</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;nausea and vomiting</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;facial flushing</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;sore throat</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;headache</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;red eyes</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The symptoms typically last between 2–7 daysTrusted Source, and most people feel better after one week. The fever may spike, go away for 24 hoursTrusted Source, then spike again.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Severe symptoms</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Between 0.5% and 5% of casesTrusted Source of dengue fever become severe. If this happens, it can be life threatening.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">First, the fever typically falls to 99.5 to 100.4°F (37.5 to 38°C). Severe symptoms may then appear 24–48 hoursTrusted Source later, or around 3–7 daysTrusted Source after the person starts to feel unwell.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>They include:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;abdominal pain or tenderness</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;vomiting at least three times in 24 hours</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;bleeding from the nose or gums</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;vomiting blood</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;blood in the stool</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;fatigue</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;feeling restless or irritable</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;changes in temperatureTrusted Source from very hot to very cold</div><div style="text-align: justify; ">cold, clammy skin</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;a weak and rapid pulse</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;a reduced difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Anyone with severe symptoms needs immediate medical attention.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Severe signs and symptoms can indicate DSS or DHF. They are potentially fatal.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">This article looks at the symptoms and causes of dengue fever and who is at risk.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Treatment</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Treatment for dengue involves managing the symptoms.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>According to 2009 researchTrusted Source, treatment for milder forms includes:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;drinking water to help prevent dehydration</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;getting plenty of rest</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;using pain relief, such as Tylenol or paracetamol, which can also help reduce fever</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen are not suitable as they can increase the risk of internal bleeding.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b><br></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>In some cases, a doctor may recommendTrusted Source hospitalization and:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;IV fluid supplementation</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;a blood transfusion</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;a platelet transfusion, in some cases</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Without treatment, 10–20% of severe casesTrusted Source may be fatal. Treatment reduces this figure to 1%.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Causes:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Four virusesTrusted Source can cause dengue fever. They are all transmitted either by the Aedes aegypti mosquito or, more rarely, the Aedes albopictus mosquito.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">These species of mosquitoes live in tropical and subtropical areas around the world, including parts ofTrusted Source the U.S. Rates of infection have grown in recent decades, especially in urban areas.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">A mosquito carrying the virus passes it to a human by biting them. When another mosquito bites a person with the condition, it will pick up the condition. Then the mosquito will pass the virus on to the next person it bites.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">A person can have dengue fever more than once. They will become immune to the specific virus that caused it, though they will not be immune to the other three viruses.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Risk factors and areas of high risk</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">A person is at risk of dengue fever if they live or travel in an area where dengue occurs and mosquitoes that can carry it live.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Dengue occurs in over 100 countriesTrusted Source across:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;North and South America</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;South-East Asia</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;the Pacific Islands</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;Australia</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;Africa</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&lt;&gt;the Eastern Mediterranean</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Around 70% of cases occur in Asia.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Among U.S. citizens, most casesTrusted Source occur in:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;Puerto Rico</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;the U.S. Virgin Islands</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;American Samoa</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Americans are most likely to contract the infection while traveling. However, local transmission is possible in many parts of the U.S., as the mosquitoes that transmit it live there.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>&lt;&gt;</b>Diagnosis</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The signs and symptoms of dengue fever are similar to some other diseases such as influenza and malaria. This can make diagnosis challenging.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>A doctor will most likelyTrusted Source:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;assess the symptoms</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;ask about the person’s medical and travel history</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;Prevention</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">In May 2019Trusted Source, the FDA approved the first dengue vaccine. It can prevent dengue caused by all four viruses.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>It is for people who:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;are ages 9–16 years</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;have had dengue in the past</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">live in areas where dengue is common, including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">People who are not eligible for the vaccine can lower their risk by taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Tips includeTrusted Source:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;wearing clothes that cover the body</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;using mosquito repellents on the body</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;using mosquito nets</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;using window and door screens</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;treating camping gear or clothes with insect repellent before use</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;if possible, avoiding being outside at dawn, dusk, and early evening</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;remove any stagnant water around the home and avoid camping near still water</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">&gt;check that drains, plant pots, and other features are not collecting water</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>What are the best natural mosquito repellents?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Summary</b></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Mosquitoes spread the virus that causes dengue fever. Most people do not experience symptoms. However, if they do, the symptoms are often mild. In some cases, dengue fever can be life threatening.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Symptoms include fever, aches and pains, and a rash. A person with more severe symptoms may start vomiting persistently, or experience bleeding from their gums or nose, among other symptoms. Severe dengue needs immediate medical attention.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>