Dengue Fever

[Sheryl]

U can try to test it your self

Take a belt or rope or something like that and put it around your arm tightly.

Same way that doctors do, when they take yor blood pressure.

Keep it(belt)tight until your skin is red.If there begins to show little dark red spots then u may have a Dengue.I´m not really sure about this, but that´s how one doctor tested me on Samui, when i thought that i have it, but  it was just somekind of a stomach infection.

What you are describing is a tourniquest test, it does not diagnose dengue per se but rather the hemorraghic complications that may occur with debgue and from other things, as well). It's widely used in low-tech settings and even taught to mothers in remote rural areas as a way to tell if their child is in danger.

The higher tech (but not very) approach is a platlet count. By the time the tourniquet test is positive, you've already got a problem, whereas sequential platlet counts can catch hemorraghic complications much early. Any basic laboratry -- even a district hospital level one -- can do it quickly and cheaply. Not necessary if you're on the mend but if you remain ill or relapse it's a good idea. Normal count is over 200,000; 100,000 - 200,000 needs watching but no need to panic, under 100,000 get thee to the hospital at once.

Incidentally, in addition to the 4-5 different serotypes of dengue there are other mosquito-borne viral illness with the exact same symptoms common in this part of the world. Outbreaks of chikungunya have been documented throughout SE Asis. Since only expensive and time-consuming serology tests (which are useless for treating a specific patient because they take too long to get results) can tell the difference, the tendency is to diagnose all these things as dengue. Some of the them are, some of them arent't, but they're al spread by mosquito bite and feel pretty much the same. Chikungunya, however, almost never causes hemorraghic shock whereas dengue can, particulalry in children.

Just FYI. Anyway hope you feel better. I've had dengue 3 times so you have my full sympathy.

[buadhai]

Anyway hope you feel better. I've had dengue 3 times so you have my full sympathy.

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Thank-you. I believe I am back to full health. (I woke up horny this morning which is always a good sign.)

I guess I'll take it easy one more day and then get back to my usual routine.

Finally, thanks for posting the information about other mosquito borne diseases with symptoms similar to Dengue.

[Totster]

(I woke up horny this morning which is always a good sign.)

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Just a little too much information....

totster

[buadhai]

(I woke up horny this morning which is always a good sign.)

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Just a little too much information....

totster

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At least I didn't tell you what I did about it.

[Totster]

(I woke up horny this morning which is always a good sign.)

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Just a little too much information....

totster

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At least I didn't tell you what I did about it.

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That's true... but I find myself thinking about it now...

totster

[roscoe]

(I woke up horny this morning which is always a good sign.)

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Just a little too much information....

totster

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At least I didn't tell you what I did about it.

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That's true... but I find myself thinking about it now...

totster

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Remember me Totster,and the spelling aberation?

How ever I do agree with you.

[Totster]

(I woke up horny this morning which is always a good sign.)

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Just a little too much information....

totster

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At least I didn't tell you what I did about it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's true... but I find myself thinking about it now...

totster

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Remember me Totster,and the spelling aberation?

How ever I do agree with you.

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I haven't got a clue what you are talking about ...! You don't make any sense, just like in most of your other recent posts.....

totster

[lampard10]

(I woke up horny this morning which is always a good sign.)

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Just a little too much information....

totster

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At least I didn't tell you what I did about it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's true... but I find myself thinking about it now...

totster

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Remember me Totster,and the spelling aberation?

How ever I do agree with you.

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I haven't got a clue what you are talking about ...! You don't make any sense, just like in most of your other recent posts.....

totster

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Trying to get in Bedlam more than likely

[dr_Pat_Pong]

'twas the booze  

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I might agree, but the gathering was Thursday night. No hangover Friday morning. Attacked by mosquito swarm in Ken's car Friday at departure time. Felt fine Friday and Saturday. Started the headache and eye pain Sunday. High fever commenced, rapidly, Monday, mid-morning.

Perhaps 'twas the booze, but I've never had a hangover delayed by three days.

(Or, did it take three days to metabolize the beer?)

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If you stayed pissed three days that'd explain it

[jrincon17]

I don't think sore throat is one of the symptoms of Dengue.

I thought I had it. Maybe I had a mild case. All the symptoms fit, except I never got a rash. I did experience the so-called "saddle effect" where you think it's getting better after a couple of days and then it gets worse.

What I decided to do was to wait three days -- if I still had I high fever after that I was going to see a doc. I did have a fever, but it was much less. Today, the fifth day, I no longer have a fever (except now and then) and the body ache is pretty much gone. I am still fatigued.

I won't start back in running until tomorrow, but I did take a nice two hour walk at noon today.

(Just another mad dog, I guess; I'm certainly no Englishman.)

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Ok thanks . I will wait til i start to Hemorage(spl chk) then go , just kidding. I will wait one more day as well . You guys got me all pranoid

[buadhai]

Ok thanks . I will wait til i start to Hemorage(spl chk) then go

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At least then you'll have something to show 'em....

[h90]

if my english is not wrong viral infection means some virus. Antibiotics are completly wrong if it is a virus, they only work agains bakteria. a virus is a dead thing, it is not living so not easy to fight agains it.

A few months ago, I spent two weeks in the hospital and although they were able to treat me with loads of antibiotics, I was never told what exactly was wrong, a viral infection was their verdict.

I still suspect it was dengue and that some people were ordered to keep quiet about dengue cases in order not to hurt tourism, but the tourists themselves

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[MP5]

if my english is not wrong viral infection means some virus. Antibiotics are completly wrong if it is a virus, they only work agains bakteria. a virus is a dead thing, it is not living so not easy to fight agains it.

A few months ago, I spent two weeks in the hospital and although they were able to treat me with loads of antibiotics, I was never told what exactly was wrong, a viral infection was their verdict.

I still suspect it was dengue and that some people were ordered to keep quiet about dengue cases in order not to hurt tourism, but the tourists themselves

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Dengue

Hemorrhagic Fever Not Shock. The patient suffers hypovolemic shock (fluid loss)

Dengue [DEN-ghee] is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue.

Dengue occurs in most tropical areas of the world. Most U.S. cases occur in travelers returning from abroad, but the dengue risk is increasing for persons living along the Texas-Mexico border and in other parts of the southern United States.

There is no specific treatment for dengue.

Prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites in areas where dengue occurs or might occur and eliminating breeding sites.

What is dengue fever? What is dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue fever.

What is the infectious agent that causes dengue?

Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the dengue family of viruses. Infection with one virus does not protect a person against infection with another.

How is dengue spread?

Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else.

Where is dengue found?

Dengue viruses occur in most tropical areas of the world. Dengue is common in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Australia, and the Americas. It is widespread in the Caribbean basin. Dengue is most common in cities but can be found in rural areas. It is rarely found in mountainous areas above 4,000 feet.

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

What are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue the name "breakbone fever." Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children.

Most dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever. With dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums. Bruising can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock (dengue shock syndrome). Dengue hemorrhagic fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, mostly among children and young adults.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying dengue virus and the start of symptoms averages 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14 days. An infected person cannot spread the infection to other persons but can be a source of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about 6 days.

How is dengue diagnosed?

Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test.

Who is at risk for dengue?

Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get dengue fever. Risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected with one or more types of dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for developing dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.

What is the treatment for dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

There is no specific treatment for dengue. Persons with dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by replacing lost fluids. Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.

How common is dengue?

In tropical countries around the world, dengue is one of the most common viral diseases spread to humans by mosquitoes. Tens of millions of cases of dengue fever and up to hundreds of thousands of cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever occur each year.

In the United States, approximately 100 cases of dengue are reported each year in travelers returning from tropical areas. Many more cases probably go unreported. A few persons have become infected with dengue while living in the United States. Aedes mosquitoes are found in Texas, Florida, and other southern states, and locally acquired dengue has been reported three times since 1980 in southern Texas.

Is dengue an emerging infectious disease?

Yes. All types of dengue virus are re-emerging worldwide and causing larger and more frequent epidemics, especially in cities in the tropics. The emergence of dengue as a major public health problem has been most dramatic in the western hemisphere. Dengue fever has reached epidemic levels in Central America and is threatening the United States.

Several factors are contributing to the resurgence of dengue fever:

No effective mosquito control efforts are underway in most countries with dengue.

Public health systems to detect and control epidemics are deteriorating around the world.

Rapid growth of cities in tropical countries has led to overcrowding, urban decay, and substandard sanitation, allowing more mosquitoes to live closer to more people.

The increase in non-biodegradable plastic packaging and discarded tires is creating new breeding sites for mosquitoes.

Increased jet air travel is helping people infected with dengue viruses to move easily from city to city.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also on the rise. Persons who have been infected with one or more forms of dengue virus are at greater risk for the more severe disease. With the increase in all types of virus, the occurrence of dengue hemorrhagic fever becomes more likely.

How can dengue be prevented?

There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. Prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites when traveling to areas where dengue occurs and when in U.S. areas, especially along the Texas-Mexico border, where dengue might occur. Eliminating mosquito breeding sites in these areas is another key prevention measure.

Avoid mosquito bites when traveling in tropical areas:

Use mosquito repellents on skin and clothing.

When outdoors during times that mosquitoes are biting, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks.

Avoid heavily populated residential areas.

When indoors, stay in air-conditioned or screened areas. Use bednets if sleeping areas are not screened or air-conditioned.

If you have symptoms of dengue, report your travel history to your doctor.

Eliminate mosquito breeding sites in areas where dengue might occur:

Eliminate mosquito breeding sites around homes. Discard items that can collect rain or run-off water, especially old tires.

Regularly change the water in outdoor bird baths and pet and animal water containers.

[udon]

Thanks for posting the above, it cheered me up no end.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Thanks for posting the above, it cheered me up no end.

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According to the weather reports mozzies won't survive in and around Sinnee. Way too cold John. You'll be right. Drink more grog. Any mozzie taking in a sample of your blood will finish up in the Betty Ford Clinic