Why Dengue is dangerous

The toll rose in the tropical country due to this viral disease is dramatic and alarming.  

The world is down and getting deeper into the pothole,  just for the think of the deadly dengue fever.

What causes dengue         

Dengue is caused by the bite of mosquito Aedes aegypti mosquito, which acts as a vector for injecting a virus called a Dengue virus ( DENV) into the body.  This class of mosquitos also spreads chikungunya and yellow fever virus.  This class of mosquitoes can be recognised by white markings on its legs and thorax. These mosquitoes mainly grow in tropical and subtropical regions.

DENV is of family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus which are positive-sense RNA Viruses. DeNV has five serotypes which can cause a full spectrum of disease.

Evolution of Virus  

These viruses evolved in the mid 19th century during the period of world war I and II for which considerable movement of population, environmental   disturbance and environmental change may be blamed as the reason.

Why dengue is dangerous

Dengue infection causes flu-like illness which is not lethal,  but Severe dengue known as the hemorrhagic fever has grown dramatically in recent years,  mainly in subtropical regions.

There are about five serotypes of the virus that  are born in Aedes mosquito whose bite can inject the virus into humans.

When the first infection occurs by a serotype, it leads to dengue, the immune system clears the pathogen and provides lifelong to the particular serotype.  If subsequent infection occurs by the second serotype, it leads to severe dengue.

How it affects

It affects humans by suppressing the bone marrow,  thereby affecting hematopoiesis,  this leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

It infects vascular endothelial cells  and causes leakage in the vascular fluid.

It causes immune cross-reactivity that kills plate cells, thereby decreases the number of platelets which are the main factors to prevent bleeding from damaged blood vessels.  This results in bleeding and haemorrhage.

Signs of dengue

Mild to high fever with a headache,  pain in eye,  muscles and joints.  Rashes on the skin,  abdominal pain,  vomiting,  bleeding and suffocation are the early signs of dengue.

Treatment

Paracetamol can be given to reduce fever.

Giving plenty of water and intravenous fluids helps enormously.

Rest is compulsory for homeostasis.

Giving  platelets will help the patient to escape from severity.

Vaccination 

There are no vaccines available and not even specific treatments available against dengue.  Scientists are trying hard to get successful vaccine trials for all 5 strains of DENV.  

Prevention 

Preventing mosquitoes and mosquito bite is the the only way of prevention,  just like preventing other mosquito-borne diseases.