Dengue fever

Definition

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus, characterized by high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash. It is a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions, especially as it continues to emerge and re-emerge due to various environmental and societal factors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dengue fever has four distinct serotypes, meaning a person can be infected multiple times throughout their life, increasing the risk of severe disease with subsequent infections.
2. The global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically in recent decades, with an estimated 390 million infections occurring annually.
3. Climate change, urbanization, and increased travel have all contributed to the resurgence and spread of dengue fever in new regions around the world.
4. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe form of the disease that can lead to shock, bleeding, and even death if not properly treated.
5. Preventive measures include controlling mosquito populations through environmental management and using insect repellent to reduce bites.

Review Questions

• What are the main symptoms of dengue fever and how do they compare to other similar mosquito-borne illnesses?
  • Dengue fever presents with symptoms like high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, and rash. These symptoms can be similar to those of other mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika or chikungunya. However, the intensity of pain associated with dengue, often referred to as 'breakbone fever,' sets it apart from other infections. Recognizing these differences is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Discuss how environmental factors contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of dengue fever.
  • Environmental factors like climate change, urbanization, and poor waste management play a significant role in the emergence and re-emergence of dengue fever. Warmer temperatures can expand the habitat range of Aedes mosquitoes, increasing transmission potential. Urban areas with inadequate drainage provide perfect breeding sites for these mosquitoes. Addressing these environmental issues is key to controlling outbreaks and preventing further spread of the disease.
• Evaluate the impact of global travel on the spread of dengue fever in recent years.
  • Global travel has significantly impacted the spread of dengue fever by facilitating the movement of infected individuals and mosquitoes across regions. As people travel more frequently between countries with endemic dengue and those without it, they can introduce the virus to new locations. This has led to outbreaks in previously unaffected areas. Understanding this dynamic is essential for public health planning and implementing effective surveillance measures to control future outbreaks.

Related terms

Aedes aegypti: Aedes aegypti is a species of mosquito that serves as the primary vector for the transmission of the dengue virus to humans.

Zika virus: Zika virus is another mosquito-borne virus, closely related to dengue, that can cause similar symptoms and is also transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.

Vector-borne diseases: Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by pathogens and parasites transmitted through vectors, such as mosquitoes or ticks, highlighting the importance of understanding the role of these organisms in disease spread.