Dengue
Dengue viruses are small, enveloped viruses which belong to the genus Flavivirus
–It is transmitted primarily from human to human by the bite of the Aedes mosquito
-The incubation period is usually 7–10 days.
Symptoms & Signs
-The clinical manifestations range from self-limited dengue fever (DF) to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) with shock syndrome
-Sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, retro orbital pain, severe myalgias, arthralgias, low back pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, sore throat
-high fever which drops and recurs (saddleback fever)
-maculopapular rash “islands of white in a sea of red”
-petechial hemorrhages
–Plasma leakage: Shock due to intravascular hypovolemia from plasma leakage
Diagnosis
-Labs: Leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and elevated transaminases
-Virus detection: IgM and IgG ELISAs, PCR
Treatment
-Oral rehydration, acetaminophen, avoid NSAIDS
-Volume replacement, platelet transfusions
-Predictors of higher mortality: thrombocytopenia, acute hepatitis, acute kidney injury
Q. What is the most specific and life-threatening feature of Dengue? Plasma leakage