Updated : July 21, 2024 9:54 AM IST
It is a vector-borne disease primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Its common symptoms include fever, headache, rash, muscle pain, nausea, and abdominal discomfort. Laboratory tests typically show elevated liver enzymes and reduced white blood cell and platelet counts.
Although neurological complications are rare in dengue fever, they can occur and manifest as diverse symptoms such as headache, altered consciousness, irritability, insomnia, and seizures. During the acute phase, focal neurological deficits are most frequently observed and are associated with conditions like encephalitis, encephalopathy, and stroke.
Encephalitis, myelitis, and meningitis are significant neuroinvasive diseases linked to dengue fever. Meningitis is particularly rare and tends to occur more frequently in children, presenting clinical manifestations similar to those in other viral meningitis cases.
Several complications can lead to encephalopathy during the acute phase of dengue infection. These include dengue shock syndrome (DSS), brain oedema, cerebral anoxia, metabolic acidosis, electrolyte imbalances, vasculitis, and liver and kidney failure.
The neurological impact of dengue fever underscores the importance of prompt medical attention and comprehensive management of the disease, mitigating the severe complications that can arise from this condition.
Public health measures aimed at controlling the mosquito population and preventing bites remain essential in reducing the incidence and spread of dengue fever, ultimately minimizing its neurological and other serious health consequences.