About this topic
Dengue fever is caused by a virus. It affects your muscles and joints as well as other parts of your body. This illness is passed on by infected mosquitoes. You cannot get it from some other person. These mosquitoes often bite during the day. You can get infected from a single mosquito bite. ‚
There are no specific treatments for dengue. Treatment depends on the signs. It is important to prevent fluid loss. Sometimes, a blood transfusion may be needed. Dengue fever is less severe than dengue hemorrhagic fever. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Your care at home will be based on how sick you are. Some people are able to return to their normal life fairly quickly. Others may need may need more care.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Lower fever
- Keep body fluids normal
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Enlarged liver ¢ ˆ ’ This may be a sign of dengue hemorrhagic fever.
- Sudden drop of blood pressure ¢ ˆ ’ This may be a sign of dengue shock syndrome.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Get rid of areas where mosquitoes like to breed. ‚
- Drain unused swimming pools.
- Dump out water that may collect in tires, buckets, or containers.
- Clean or unclog roof gutters.
- Clear your yard of dead trees to remove insects that live in them.
Protect yourself. ‚
- Use mosquito repellent on your skin.
- Wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs.
- Avoid unnecessary activities outside your house.
- Place wire screens in your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from going in.
- Sleep under a mosquito net.
- Avoid places where there is a dengue fever outbreak.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Go to ER right away if you have: ‚
- Very bad belly pain; throwing up that does not stop; red spots or patches on skin; bleeding from the nose or gums; blood in vomit; black, tarry stools; drowsiness or become irritable; pale, cold, or clammy skin; and trouble breathing.
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, or mouth sores.
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you ways to help prevent this infection.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have belly pain, trouble breathing, or unusual bleeding.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/fAQFacts/index.html ‚
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease ‚
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/denguefever/understanding/Pages/overview.aspx ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/514/viewAbstract ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dengue/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚