Question 1

What is Dengue?

Accepted Answer

Dengue is a virus-based infection caused when a Male Aedes mosquito carrying the dengue virus is transferred into a healthy host through a viraemic process. In this, the patient suffers from headache, nausea, high fever, muscle aches, joint pains, bloody stools, bloody vomit, bloody spit, irritable eyes, blood scars under the skin, patchy skin, and blood scars over the skin.

Question 2

What are the warning signs of Dengue?

Accepted Answer

The most prominent warning sign is a high fever of 40°C or 104°F, accompanied by the following symptoms:

Headaches
Pain behind eyes
Nausea, vomiting
Swollen glands
Joint, bone or muscle pains
Rash

In case of severe dengue, when the condition prolongs for more than 3-7 days, the signs and symptoms might turn into -

Severe abdominal pain
Persistent vomiting
Bleeding gums
Vomiting blood
Blood in the stool
Rapid breathing
Fatigue/ restlessness

Question 3

When should we do a dengue test?

Accepted Answer

Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes, which spreads easily from person to person. A dengue fever test is conducted to detect the infection of the dengue virus. It is mostly used for people who have symptoms of illness and/or have recently travelled to an infected area. It is recommended to have a dengue test if you have -

Sudden high fever (104°F or higher)
Swollen glands
Rash on the face
Severe headache and/or pain behind the eyes
Joint and muscle pain
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue
Severe abdominal pain
Vomiting that doesn't go away
Bleeding gums
Nose bleeds
Bleeding under the skin, which may look like bruises
Blood in urine and/or stools
Difficulty breathing
Cold, clammy skin
Restlessness

Some of the common tests recommended for diagnosing dengue are -

Dengue NS1 Antigen
Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
Dengue RNA PCR test

Question 4

Is Dengue a communicable disease?

Accepted Answer

No, generally Dengue is only caused when the virus-carrying vector bites a healthy host. However, in small cases, it is sexually transmitted. There have also been occurrences when pregnant women, when affected have seen the virus spread to the unborn child in the womb.

Question 5

What are the different types of Dengue?

Accepted Answer

Dengue is majorly classified into Mild Dengue Fever, Dengue Haemorrhagic fever, and Dengue Shock syndrome. Mild Dengue Fever is the most commonly occurring form of Dengue and is non-fatal. However, Dengue Haemorrhagic fever and Dengue Shock syndrome are fatal when left untreated, as the patient experiences blood loss, dehydration and a significant drop in blood pressure.

Question 6

Can dengue be cured at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, depending on the nature of the onset condition, dengue can be treated at home. However, it is advisable to consult a medical practitioner before making a decision.

Question 7

Is hospitalization required for dengue?

Accepted Answer

Dengue can be treated at home, depending on the nature of the onset condition. However, at times, hospitalisation may be required.

Question 8

Is vaccination available for Dengue?

Accepted Answer

Currently, there is no vaccination available for Dengue fever. However, the World Health Organisation and other medical communities are rigorously working towards it.

Question 9

Is Dengue a deadly disease?

Accepted Answer

Dengue Fever is a deadly disease when left untreated. The mortality rate in patients affected by Dengue ranges between 20-50%. However, with proper medication and care, patients can recover and resume normal lives in 2-3 weeks after the onset of the disease.

Question 10

What are the best foods to recover from dengue fever?

Accepted Answer

Here’s a list of a few of the foods loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins which ensures a speedy recovery from Dengue -

Papaya Leaves
A mix of herbs like tulsi, giloy, ashwagandha, ginger, and aloe vera.
Pomegranates
Coconut Water
Turmeric
Fenugreek (methi)
Orange
Broccoli
Spinach
Kiwi Fruits

Question 11

What should not be eaten in dengue?

Accepted Answer

Recovering from a dengue attack is very tough. Though there are no specific dietary restrictions, you can build an easy and fruitful recovery process by:

Eat food that is less oily and spicy
Try to consume food items that are easy to digest
Avoid non-vegetarian food
Avoid Caffeinated beverages
Up your fluid intake and
Consume warm water instead of normal water.

Question 12

Will Dengue spread to my baby if I’m pregnant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there have been instances where the disease-causing virus was transmitted from the mother to the fetus. Pregnant women should take care to ensure that there are no breeding grounds present around their homes in the form of stagnant water in flower pots, tyres, and buckets.

Question 13

What is the treatment plan for a person affected by Dengue?

Accepted Answer

There are no cure or treatment options currently available in the medical community. However, there are medications that patients are introduced to deal with the symptoms, such as Tylenol, pain killers, and muscle relaxants. Along with these, the patient is asked to take adequate bed rest, including a lot of vegetables and protein-rich food like eggs, pulses, chicken, and fish in their diet to boost blood cell count and accelerate the growth of the immune system.

Question 14

What do we do when a Dengue epidemic occurs?

Accepted Answer

When you start noticing Dengue symptoms in people around you, it is advised to alert the medical authorities and ensure that there are no breeding grounds near your residence. To ensure that you are not affected by this viral fever, installing window and door screens is a must to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

Question 15

I had got Dengue before, Am I immune to it now?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the type of serotype that you were infected with when you were first diagnosed with Dengue Fever. It is very unlikely that the same patient can be affected by the same strain of Virus again, however, when the patient is affected, the second or third time, it is more serious and fatal.

Dengue: