CBSE Class 9 Answered

What is dengue? What are its symptoms, causes and treatment?

Asked by jayeshsah1995 | 05 Oct, 2023, 02:18: PM

Expert Answer

Dengue fever or breakbone fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the dengue virus. It is a mosquito-borne, single positive-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus.

Causes of dengue:

The dengue virus is transmitted by the female mosquito – Aedes aegypti.
The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax.
The dengue mosquitoes generally bite during the daytime and are found everywhere.
The mosquitoes are found to be at the peak of their activeness at dawn and dusk.

Symptoms of dengue:

The symptoms of dengue can develop only after 6 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Gum and nose bleedings
Severe joint and muscle pain
Fatigue, nausea, and vomiting
A sudden drop in blood pressure
Multiple rashes and wounds on the skin
Pain behind the eyes coupled with extreme headaches
The patient might feel weak with a high fever for 3-7 days

Treatment of dengue:

For a severe condition, the patients need to seek hospitalization and may require blood transfusion or intravenous fluid supplementation.

However, patients with mild symptoms can do the following:

Rest as much as possible.
Drink lots of fluid (water, drinks with electrolytes) for extra hydration.
Take paracetamol to relieve pain or control fever.

A safe and efficacious dengue vaccine continues to be sought globally.

Prevention of dengue:

Get rid of all nearby standing water sources since the dengue mosquitoes typically lay eggs and breed in clean stagnant water.
Change the water of flower vases daily.
Try to stay at well-screened houses and keep all the doors and windows shut especially during dawn, dusk and night as well. The Aedes mosquitoes can bite during both daytime and night too.
Use mosquito repellents, traps and mosquito nets while sleeping.
Wear long-sleeved clothes when you have to travel to mosquito-infested areas.
Daily remove the garbage and waste and keep your surroundings clean.

Answered by Sheetal Kolte | 05 Oct, 2023, 02:44: PM