Dengue Fever Flashcards
What is dengue fever caused by?
Dengue virus
Transmission of dengue virus
Aedes Mosquitoes
Presentation of dengue
Mild or asymptomatic
Intense headache
Fever
Widespread red rash
Muscle/joint pain
Treatment of dengue
No specific treatment/cure
Normally resolves itself within a few days
Supportive treatments - paracetamol
- plenty of fluids
Treatment of severe dengue
No treatment
Intensive care required:
- IV fluids
- O2 if needed
- blood + platelet transfusion
Symptoms of severe dengue
Restlessness
Acute fever
Severe abdominal pain
Petechiae - due to low platelets
Nosebleeds
Large decrease in BP - shock
Why would aspirin and NSAIDs make dengue worse?
COX enzymes are blocked
Needed to help with clotting
Incubation period of dengue
10 days
Investigations of dengue
- FBC + LFTs
- dengue antigen test
- dengue antibody test IgM + IgG
- PCR
FBC finds of dengue
Leukopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Hematocrit elevated
