Dengue fever is a type of disease caused by viruses generally carried by specific mosquitoes. Individuals with this virus-based disease will typically run a very high temperature and can become fervently ill. There is not a definitive treatment for this illness, although the symptoms may dwindle with rest. In addition, an acetaminophen may be used to lower the extremely high fever often caused by this disease. Dengue fever treatment may also include increasing individual fluid intake and hospitalization if the person is severely sick.
Generally, dengue fever is caused by four related but different dengue viruses. Each virus is carried by a specific kind of mosquito. Typically, it is an Aedes aegypti mosquito which spreads the disease. In general, an individual can develop this disease if he or she is bitten by a mosquito carrying this type of virus. As it is more than one type of virus that can lead to this illness, it is possible to become infected more than once by the same or a different virus.
Fever is the main symptom of dengue fever. In many cases, the body temperature will be very high, often reaching up to 105 degrees F (40.56 degrees C). Many people may also have extreme body aches, rashes and vomiting. Sometimes, a severe form of this disease known as dengue hemorrhagic fever can develop. When this happens, more serious symptoms such as bleeding underneath the skin, nose bleeds, blood vessel damage, bleeding from the mouth may occur.
Unfortunately, there is no main course of treatment for dengue fever. Rest is generally always recommended. Symptoms of this illness may become quite overwhelming. For this reason, the more the ill person rests, the easier it may be to combat the symptoms.
As this illness can cause an extremely high body temperature, an acetaminophen may be taken as treatment. The acetaminophen may greatly lower the body temperature. It will generally take more than one dosage to see temperature changes. Commonly, doctors recommend taking acetaminophen instead of aspirin or a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, because this can make some symptoms worse. For example, if one of the individual's symptoms is bleeding, these medications could make this symptom worse.
Treatment may also include increasing the individual's daily intake of fluids. If vomiting is one of the person's most profound symptoms, there is a chance that he or she may become dehydrated. For this reason, drinking a good deal of fluids can greatly decrease the likeliness of this happening. In addition, the fluids may also help reduce the extremely high fever.
Hospitalization may also be dengue fever treatment. This may be necessary if the symptoms become so severe that they are life threatening. One example of this would be profuse bleeding. In this event, a blood transfusion may be necessary. Additionally, an individual who becomes extremely dehydrated due to excessive or repeated vomiting may be given intravenous fluids to treat this particular symptom.