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DENGUE
FEVER |
Alternative
names:
chikungunya; dengue-like disease; O'nyong-nyong fever; West
Nile fever
Definition:
A mild viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized
by fever, rash, and muscle and joint
pains.
Causes,
incidence, and risk factors:
Dengue fever is caused by several related viruses (four different
arboviruses) and is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes, most
commonly Aedes aegypti, found in tropic and subtropic regions.
Dengue fever presents with sudden onset of a high fever,
often to 104 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, headache, and
slightly later the appearance of joint and muscle pains.
A flat (macular) red blanchable rash may appear over
most of the body early during the fever. A second rash, measles-like
in appearance, appears later in the disease. Affected people
may have increased skin sensitivity and are very uncomfortable.
Dengue fever is being seen more in world travelers. It is generally
self limited and although uncomfortable is not fatal. Diagnosis
may depend on a traveler telling his or her health care worker
of any visits to areas of the world where Dengue fever is endemic.
Dengue fever should not be confused with Dengue hemorrhagic
fever, which is a separate disease entity and frequently
has a fatal outcome.
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