Break-bone fever

Break-bone fever, more commonly known as Dengue fever, is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by the dengue virus. The disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide, primarily in urban and semi-urban areas. Dengue fever is characterized by fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. In a small proportion of cases, the disease can develop into severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can lead to bleeding, low levels of blood platelets, and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.

Transmission and Prevention

Dengue fever is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the Aedes genus, principally Aedes aegypti. The virus is passed on to humans through the bites of an infected female mosquito. It cannot be spread directly from one person to another. Prevention of dengue fever involves reducing mosquito habitats and population, which includes eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, and using personal protective measures such as mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothes, and using mosquito nets.

Symptoms and Treatment

The symptoms of dengue fever begin three to fourteen days after infection. They may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a distinctive skin rash. Recovery generally takes two to seven days. In severe cases, symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness, and blood in vomit. The management of dengue in its early stages involves the use of oral or intravenous rehydration for mild or moderate disease, and more aggressive emergency treatment with blood transfusions and intravenous fluids for more severe cases.

Epidemiology

Dengue fever is a leading cause of illness and death in the tropics and subtropics, with as many as 400 million people infected yearly. The World Health Organization estimates that 40% of the world's population is at risk of dengue infection. Outbreaks have occurred in Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific, with the greatest risk being in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Southern China, Taiwan, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean (except Cuba and the Cayman Islands), Mexico, Africa, and Central and South America.

Research and Development

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever. The development of a dengue vaccine has been complicated by the fact that the dengue virus comes in four different serotypes, and immunity to one serotype does not guarantee immunity to the others. Research into developing effective vaccines and antiviral drugs to prevent and treat dengue fever is ongoing.