Dengue fever

Summary

  • Globally important arboviral infection transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
  • Endemic in more than 100 countries, particularly the South-East Asian region, Western Pacific region, and the Americas.
  • Clinical features include fever, headache, myalgia/arthralgia, and skin flush, together with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated LFTs.
  • Severe thrombocytopenia, haemorrhage, and plasma leakage are the key diagnostic features of the more severe forms of infection.
  • Confirmatory tests include viral antigen or nucleic acid detection and serology.
  • Fluid therapy and the identification of the critical phase are the most important aspects of management.
Last updated: Apr 26, 2013
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