What Is Dengue?

Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreadsDengue fever.

· Dengue [DEN-ghee] is a flu-like viral disease spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue.
· Dengue occurs in most tropical areas of the world.
· There is no specific treatment for Dengue.

What is Dengue fever? What is Dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of Dengue fever.

What is the infectious agent that causes Dengue?

Dengue and Dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the Dengue family of viruses. Infection with one virus does not protect a person against infection with another.

How is Dengue spread?

Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else.

Where is Dengue found?

Dengue viruses occur in most tropical areas of the world. Dengue is common in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Australia, and the Americas. It is widespread in the Caribbean basin. Dengue is most common in cities but can be found in rural areas. It is rarely found in mountainous areas above 4,000 feet.
The mosquitoes that transmit Dengue live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. Unlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria, Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

What are the signs and symptoms of Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. The severity of the joint pain has given dengue the name "breakbone fever." Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the fever. The illness can last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. Older children and adults are usually sicker than young children.
Most Dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to Dengue hemorrhagic fever. With Dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, and gums. Bruising can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. Without prompt treatment, the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock (Dengue shock syndrome). Dengue hemorrhagic fever is fatal in about 5 percent of cases, mostly among children and young adults.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying Dengue virus and the start of symptoms averages 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14 days. An infected person cannot spread the infection to other persons but can be a source of Dengue virus for mosquitoes for about 6 days.

How is Dengue diagnosed?

Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test.

Who is at risk for Dengue?

Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get Dengue fever. Risk factors for Dengue hemorrhagic fever include a person's age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. Persons who were previously infected with one or more types of Dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for developing Dengue hemorrhagic fever if infected again.

What is the treatment for Dengue and Dengue hemorrhagic fever?

There is no specific treatment for Dengue. Persons with Dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids. They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by replacing lost fluids. Some patients need transfusions to control bleeding.

How common is Dengue?

In tropical countries around the world, Dengue is one of the most common viral diseases spread to humans by mosquitoes. Tens of millions of cases of Dengue fever and up to hundreds of thousands of cases of Dengue hemorrhagic fever occur each year.

Is Dengue an emerging infectious disease?

Yes. All types of Dengue virus are re-emerging worldwide and causing larger and more frequent epidemics, especially in cities in the tropics. The emergence of Dengue as a major public health problem has been most dramatic in the western hemisphere. Dengue fever has reached epidemic levels in Central America and is threatening the United States.
Several factors are contributing to the resurgence of Dengue fever:
· No effective mosquito control efforts are underway in most countries with Dengue.
· Public health systems to detect and control epidemics are deteriorating around the world.
· Rapid growth of cities in tropical countries has led to overcrowding, urban decay, and

substandard sanitation, allowing more mosquitoes to live closer to more people.
· The increase in non-biodegradable plastic packaging and discarded tires is creating new

breeding sites for mosquitoes.
· Increased jet air travel is helping people infected with Dengue viruses to move easily from

city to city.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also on the rise. Persons who have been infected with one or more forms of Dengue virus are at greater risk for the more severe disease. With the increase in all types of virus, the occurrence of Dengue hemorrhagic fever becomes more likely.
There is no vaccine to prevent Dengue

Possibily the best antidote to Dengue

To all readers

We in india are presently faced with a huge crisis and calamity as we fall prey to our misdeeds.

In our pursuit of Industrialisation and Economic Sovereignity we have forgotten the Aspect of our Almighty and the gifts bestowed upon by The Almighty in terms of the Wealth laid down for us to use astutely and preserve diligently.

We Eat food at will and litter waste with glory, We shower our Arrogance with Power and Enjoy the agonies with Lustful Sadism, We Rake out Mother nature from its roots and hope to live in Peace and Health!

How can we survive this way. The truth is there for all to see. We are simply falling prey to our own adventerous and Industrialised Misdeeds.

We do not have any Chemical medicine or vaccine to ward of the Dengue diseases and there is probably no hope for one for the next decade.

But yes there is a possible way out. It is mother Nature of course.

The herb Tulsi or in botanical terms (Ocimum Sanctum) is an possible remedy and should be taken in any form. May it be in the form of chewing leaves or in a decoction. It is said and experienced that The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. During the rainy season when the malaria or dengue fever are widely spread, tender leaves boiled with tea is very preventive for this disease. In case of acute fever, a decoction of leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature.

Eating the Tulsi leaves would definitely do you no harm but it definitely would do you a world of good. Very few people know that Tulsi is an source of abundant oxygen and would help you in warding off the disease.

I will write more and give you as much information on ways and means to ward of the disease so please do keep on visiting this page for more

May God Bless you with Good health always

Thank you