The Health | september, 2019
12
issue: dengue
Everything you need to
The history
The name ‘dengue’ is derived from Swahili/
Spanish roots, which describes the apparent
posture adopted by its heavily affected
victims. Benjamin Rush was the first person
to confirm a case of dengue, and he called it
‘breakbone fever’.
Virology
Dengue are categorised into 4
serotypes. DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3,
and DENV-4. All four serotypes
are prevalent in Malaysia. Afflicted
individuals have lasting immunity to
one particular serotype, but not the
other.
Vector
Aedes mosquitoes will lay eggs three
times over the course of their short lives,
and spawns about 100 eggs each time.
Eggs can lie dormant in dry conditions
for nine months and can hatch if
conditions becomes favourable again.
Symptoms of dengue
Fever
• A continuous high grade fever of about
38-40°C, usually lasts about five to seven
days - followed by a period of no fever after.
In primary dengue infection, period of fever
may be shorter (three days).
Body aches
• This symptom was why dengue has been
called ‘breakbone fever’. Pain includes in and
around the eyeballs, muscle pain, lethargy,
and poor appetite.
Facts and figures
Warning signs
• Inappropriate fast pulse rate during
fever, but normal blood pressure
• Persistent nausea
• Difficulty to take anything orally
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Severe headaches
• Severe diarrhoea
• Difficulty in breathing
• 2.5 billion people live in areas of the globe where
dengue has been reported
• 100 countries have since reported the illness
• The main symptom of dengue is a continuous high grade
fever of about 38-40°C which usually lasts about
5-7 days followed by a period of no fever on the fifth
day which may signify recovery.