Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease occurring in tropical and subtropical areas transmitted by mosquitoes, and causing sudden fever and acute pains in the joints.
CAUSES
Dengue fever is caused by any one of four types of dengue virus serotypes: DENVs 1–4.
It is a mosquito-borne disease and is primarily transmitted to humans by the female Aedes mosquito.
RISK FACTORS
• A neonate or young child.
• Female sex.
• High body mass index.
• Viral load.
• Genetic polymorphisms.
• Previous infection with DENV-1 if the patient contracts DENV-2 or DENV-3.
• Diabetes and Asthma are risk factors for fatal disease.
ORGANS AFFECTED
The dengue virus infects more cells, including those in the lymph nodes and bone marrow, macrophages in both the spleen and liver, and monocytes in the blood.
INCUBATION PERIOD
Symptoms usually last for 2–7 days, after an incubation period of 4–10 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.
METHOD OF TRANSMISSION
Through Mosquito Bites: Dengue fever is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with a dengue virus. The mosquito becomes infected when it bites a person with dengue virus in their blood. It can't be spread directly from one person to another person.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
The mild signs and symptoms of dengue can be confused with other illnesses that cause fever, aches and pains, or a rash.
The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following:
• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Body pain pain
• Pain typically behind the eyes
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Bone pain mostly occur at onset
Symptoms of dengue typically last 2–7 days. Most people will recover after about a week.
ROLES OF NURSES / NURSING STUDENTS IN PREVENTION OF DENGUE FEVER
Thus Nurses / Nursing Students play an important part in providing healthcare services in both the community and in hospitals.
Regard to dengue fever, they play part in the health assessment, diagnosis, care, basic treatment and referral of dengue patients. Providers of primary care are involved in dengue management for the community.
Remember, you can't get dengue fever from being around an infected person. Instead, dengue fever is spread through mosquito bites. The two types of mosquitoes that most often spread the dengue viruses are common both in and around human lodgings.
Written By:
Nr. Buhari Isma'il CRNA & Nr. Gemaliura Emmanuel Obadiah (Young Nurse Activists).
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