symptoms

Dengue symptoms

Related articles: Dengue

Definition

Dengue is an acute viral disease, transmitted to humans by the sting of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes (which also belongs to the tiger mosquito). It is caused by viruses belonging to the genus Flavivirus (serotypes DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4).

Dengue is endemic in areas of the world with a tropical climate (South-East Asia, Africa, Oceania, Central and South America). Aedes mosquitoes, unlike the Anopheles (which transmit malaria), bite during daylight hours, especially after sunrise and before sunset.

Most common symptoms and signs *

  • Anorexia
  • Redness of the face
  • Ascites
  • Asthenia
  • bradycardia
  • Chills
  • Convulsions
  • Diarrhea
  • Ocular pain
  • Articolar pains
  • Muscle pains
  • Bruising
  • Brain edema
  • Hematemesis
  • Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
  • Erythema
  • Pharyngitis
  • Temperature
  • Sore legs
  • Hypotension
  • Hypovolemia
  • Lethargy
  • Leukopenia
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • macules
  • Sore throat
  • Backache
  • Headache
  • Melena
  • Eyes reddened
  • Pallor
  • papules
  • petechiae
  • thrombocytopenia
  • itch
  • Cold
  • rhinorrhoea
  • Nosebleeds
  • Blood in the stool
  • Bleeding gums
  • Sweating
  • Cough
  • He retched

Further indications

Dengue can present, from a symptomatological point of view, in two distinct forms: classical or hemorrhagic.

Generally, classical dengue manifests itself, after an incubation period of 3-15 days, with the sudden appearance of high fever (up to 40 ° C), chills, headache and profuse sweating. At the onset, myalgia, lumbago and high intensity pains in the legs and joints are present, symptoms that justify the denomination of dengue as "dengue fever". Conjunctival reddening, retrorbital pain and swollen lymph nodes are commonly found. Fever and other symptoms persist for 48 to 96 hours. A period of apiressia and apparent well-being follows, lasting about 24 hours. In correspondence of a second thermal rise, there is a maculo-papular rash which spreads from the trunk to the extremities and to the face (similar to that of measles). Gastrointestinal disorders and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, pharyngodynia and rhinorrhea can also occur. Sometimes, petechiae and other minor hemorrhagic manifestations (blood from the nose and gums) appear. Death is rare.

In hemorrhagic dengue, on the other hand, in correspondence with the second temperature rise (indistinguishable from the classical variant), thrombocytopenia, fluid depletion and hemorrhagic manifestations develop in the form of petechiae, ecchymoses, epistaxis, blood loss from gums, hematemesis and melena.

If left untreated, hemorrhagic fever is potentially fatal: it can lead to circulatory collapse and shock.

Diagnosis requires serological tests to detect specific antibodies. Dengue must be distinguished from malaria, leptospirosis and typhoid fever.

The therapy is supportive and is based on hydration in the case of a mild-moderate form of the disease, while in the most serious cases intravenous fluid administration and hemotransfusion are provided. Upon overcoming the infection, a persistent immunity to the infecting virus follows; against the other three viral serotypes, however, the defense is short and not lasting.