7 Clear Warning Symptoms You Are Infected With Dengue Virus (DENV)

Dengue Symtpoms: Are you suffering from dengue? Here is what happens in your body after catching the virus, and the top 7 symptoms that you may experience after getting infected with dengue virus.

Dengue Outbreak In Delhi-NCR: As the monsoon rains drench Delhi-NCR, a silent health threat is rapidly spreading across the state - dengue fever (DNV). As per the latest report by the state's health authorities, hundreds of new cases have been reported in just 1 week. "The capital is back to dealing with another life-threatening disease caused by infected mosquitoes - dengue fever. Breeding grounds are rapidly multiplying across the city - leaving Delhi-NCR facing a growing public health concern. The surge comes earlier than expected this year, driven by waterlogging, poor drainage, and overburdened civic systems," officials quoted as saying.

Taking cognizance of the situation, experts have warned that the worst may be yet to come as the weather continues to favour mosquito breeding. However, in this article, we will take a close look at this virus and what exactly happens inside the body after one catches the infection.

What Is Dengue?

Dengue is a severe viral infection which is mainly caused by the dengue virus (DENV). The virus belongs to the Flavivirus family, which is the same virus family to which yellow fever, wesy nile virus, etc belong to.

There are four different types of dengue virus, namely - DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4. All of these four types of dengue viruses are known for causing severe fever and immense strain on the immune system.

"After the virus enters the body, it first attacks the immune system, and this is when the person develops severe body ache, accompanied by fever and cripling headache," says Dr Prithvi Singh, Manipal Hospitals.

How Does Dengue Transmit?

The transmission process of the virus mainly happens via infected female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. When these infected mosquitoes bite someone - at first the virus enters the body via skin cells and then it immediately attacks the immune system. In order to replicate within the human system, the virus hijacks the host's cells to make copies of itself.

What causes the fever? As per experts, when the body fights back the virus - it usually leads to fever, inflammation and the classic cold and cough symptoms. "In some severe cases, the dengue virus + the overactive immune system damages the blood vessels leading to plasma leakage and severe bleeding. This can also worsen into organ failure," Dr Singh added.

Warning Symptoms of Dengue

How to know if you are too, infected with the deadly dengue fever-causing virus? Not just fever and body ache, here are the top warning signs that may show up in your body after you catch the infection

High Fever (104 F / 40 C or more)

The first sign that the body sends when you are infected with the dengue fever causing virus is an unexplained rise in body temperature. This fever can range between 104 F / 40 C or more. If you notice this signs, make sure to keep a close tab on your temperature.

Severe Headache

Another classic warning sign of dengue is when a patient with high fever, starts experiencing pain behind the eyes or chronic headache - which is usually persistent and can worsen over time.

Pain Behind the Eyes

The next warning sign of dengue is when you feel an unexplained pain behind your eyes. This pain or discomfort mainly shows up when you try to move your eyes. This is often accompanied by a persistent headache.

Muscle and Joint Pain

Another sign that the body sends when you are infected with the dengue virus is severe body ache - often refer to as "breakbone fever". This body pain or muscle cramping can cause severe joint aches, often making movement painful.

Nausea and Vomiting

After getting infected with the dengue virus, a patient may also experience severe digestive issues such as bloating, gastric problems and persistent nausea (accompanied by vomiting, or abdominal pain).

Skin Rash

A red, patchy rash may appear on the body, typically a few days after the fever begins. It may itch or be accompanied by tiny red dots.

Bleeding Tendencies

In more severe cases, you may notice bleeding gums, nosebleeds, blood in vomit or stool, or easy bruising signs of dengue hemorrhagic fever, which needs urgent medical attention.

In some rare and severe dengue cases, the patient may develop signs such as:

1. Sudden drop in blood platelet count
2. Severe abdominal pain
3. Persistent nausea or vomiting
4. Bleeding gums or nose
5. Blood in stool or urine
6. Blood in stool, urine or vomit
7. Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
8. Extreme fatigue or tiredness
9. Low blood pressure

Make sure to never ignore any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms, especially if they all come together.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Dengue is a severe viral infection which is mainly caused by the dengue virus (DENV).
2. Common symptoms of dengue includes - body ache, high fever, skin rashes, nausea, and vomiting.
3. In some rare cases, dengue may affect the liver - causing digestive issues.
4. Blood platelet count may drop severely when you are infected with the dengue virus.

How To Stay Safe From Dengue Fever?

As the dengue virus continues to spread across the capital and nearby areas, here are some effective safety tips that one must follow to stay safe from the DENV infection:

1. Do not let water stay stagnant in your home. Stagnant water is the breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes.
2. Drink lots of water to keep your body well-hydrated after developing any of the signs mentioned above.
3. Get yourself checked immediately if you notice dengue symptoms.
4. Understand that a high fever accompanied by body aches and mild bleeding is a sure-shot sign of dengue infection.
5. Use mosquito repelants to stay safe from mosquito bites.
6. Wear long-sleeve clothes when stepping out during early morning hours, and late in the evening.
7. Sleep inside mosquito nets.
8. Use mosquito coils or vaporisers indoors.

Stay alert, stay safe!

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