Dengue is the fastest growing mosquito borne infection in the world.
The World health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 40 percent of world’s population is at risk of being infected due to environmental conditions and burden of disease; people of all age groups are at risk.
According to Dr Mohammed Sakeel of Fortis Hospital, Kalyan, mild symptoms of dengue may leave you confused with other illnesses that cause fever and flu-like symptoms.
The most common symptoms are fever, and one or more of the following:
- Headache
- Eye pain (typically behind the eyes)
- Muscle, joint, or bone pain
- Rashes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unusual bleeding (nose or gum bleed, small red spots under the skin, or unusual bruising)
Emergency Symptoms
Severe symptoms of dengue can be labelled as an emergency. Note, it is very important to recognise the warning signs early.
Warning signs
Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue, which develop 24-48 hours after initial fever goes away. If you or a family member develops any of these warning signs, go to a physician or nearest emergency department immediately:
1) Severe stomach pain or vomiting (at least 3 vomiting episodes within 24 hours)
2) Bleeding from the nose or gums
3) Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
4) Drowsiness or irritability
5) Pale, cold, or clammy skin
6) Difficulty in breathing
These symptoms are collectively coined as dengue shock syndrome (DSS).
There is plethora of information on social networking and messaging platforms surrounding dengue symptoms, some are true and some untrue. Believing and following every collective piece of information received on networking platforms, and otherwise, is not a wise thing to do.
Therefore, if you have symptoms of dengue, rather than following the advice on social media, consult your doctor immediately.