Overview

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. It causes flu-like symptoms, including high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, skin rash, and bleeding. In severe cases, it can lead to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), posing a risk of organ failure and death.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever mostly affects children under ten who reside in dengue-endemic regions. Also known as Philippine, Thai, or Southeast Asian hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome usually needs a past dengue virus infection.

An immunopathologic condition known as dengue hemorrhagic fever is caused by dengue virus-antibody immunological complexes, which cause macrophages to produce vasoactive mediators. The mediators cause vascular leakage, hemorrhagic symptoms, hemoconcentration, and serous effusions, which might result in circulatory collapse (dengue shock syndrome).

Symptoms of Dengue Shock Syndrome

At first glance, dengue shock syndrome is similar to conventional dengue and frequently starts with a sudden fever and headache. Warning indicators for the potential development of severe dengue fever include:

Severe soreness and agony in the abdomen
Frequent vomiting
Hematemesis
Gum bleeding, or epistaxis
Tarry, black stools
Emasculation
Feeling disoriented, lethargic, or agitated
Hepatomegaly, ascites, or pleural effusion
The significant drop in body temperature

Dengue shock syndrome, which causes circulatory collapse and multiorgan failure, can occur quickly two to six days after start.

Here are some ways that bleeding inclinations show up:

Often at injection sites such as ecchymoses, purpura, or petechiae.
As epistaxis, melena, or hematemesis.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage can occur.

Causes of Dengue Shock Syndrome

One of the four dengue virus serotypes is the main cause of DSS. The infection may trigger a strong immune reaction that damages blood vessels, resulting in DSS symptoms. The risk of DSS may be elevated by pre-existing medical disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, or advanced age.

If you believe you may have dengue fever or exhibit any DSS symptoms, it's critical to get medical help as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment might increase the likelihood of a complete recovery.

Treatment of Dengue Shock Syndrome

Supportive care is used in the treatment of dengue shock syndrome (DSS) to control the illness's symptoms and sequelae. Some examples of this may be as follows:

Fluids. To avoid dehydration and maintain blood pressure, people with DSS may require fluids through an intravenous (IV) line.
Medicines. Pain, fever, and nausea are among the DSS symptoms that medication helps to alleviate. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever and discomfort and antiemetics for nausea are a couple of them.
Red Blood Cell Exchange. Blood transfusions may be necessary in severe DSS instances to replenish lost blood and enhance oxygen transport to the body's tissues.
Use of Oxygen. Oxygen treatment may be necessary for DSS patients to raise blood oxygen levels.
Close Observation. To monitor vital signs and look for any issues, people with DSS may require careful monitoring in a hospital environment.

There exist many measures to mitigate the likelihood of developing DSS or stop its advancement:

Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Wear long sleeves, use insect repellent, and install screens or netting to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
Seek medical assistance. Get medical help as soon as possible if one has a fever, bodily pains, or other dengue fever symptoms. Treatment and diagnosis at an early stage can lower the risk of DSS.
Adhere to your medical regimen. If one has been diagnosed with DSS, adhere to the doctor's treatment recommendations. This might involve taking medicine to maintain blood pressure, organ function, and symptom management.
Maintain adequate hydration. Drink plenty of water to avoid being dehydrated, as this might exacerbate the symptoms of Dengue shock syndrome.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

A dangerous and sometimes fatal side effect of dengue illness is dengue shock syndrome. It's critical to get medical help right away if you or someone you know is exhibiting dengue shock syndrome symptoms, such as a high fever, rash, nausea, bleeding, etc.

Reference

https://www.fortishealthcare.com/blogs/dengue-shock-syndrome
https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-in/professional/infectious-diseases/arboviruses,-arenaviridae,-and-filoviridae/dengue-hemorrhagic-fever-dengue-shock-syndrome