dengue fever is caused by the bite of - #18078
I am really worried because I've been dealing with some pretty serious health issues. Last month, I went on vacation to a tropical area, and I thought everything was fine until I started feeling unwell. At first, it just seemed like a normal flu, fever, chills, and joint pain, but then the symptoms got worse. I went to a clinic, and they told me I might have dengue fever. The doc said that dengue fever is caused by the bite of a mosquito, specifically the Aedes species. That freaked me out! I didn’t even remember getting bitten but I guess I wasn’t paying enough attention. Now, I'm seeing weird marks on my skin and I am feeling so weak. They did a blood test and said my platelet count was low, which sounded pretty alarming. I’ve read online that dengue fever can be serious, and I don't know what to do! How do I manage this? Shouldn’t I be better by now? I just feel lost. Is it normal to still feel awful weeks after the diagnosis? Also, what if it's not just dengue? What other things could cause this? Any advice would be super helpful. I just want to get through this!
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Doctors' responses
It’s true that dengue fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes species. A classical symptom is this sudden high fever, alongside other flu-like symptoms you mentioned like joint pain and chills. The weird marks on your skin may be petechiae, small red or purple spots due to bleeding under the skin, which are linked with low platelet count—a common finding in dengue. You’re right to feel concerned about the low platelet count. Dengue can progress to more severe forms like dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which can be very serious and require medical attention; monitor your symptoms closely, especially if you notice any bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or persistent vomiting, as these may need urgent care. Management primarily focuses on supportive care: stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, and rest is crucial. Pain relievers like acetaminophen can help but avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin as they can exacerbate bleeding risks. If symptoms persist, reevaluation is a good idea. Regarding other possible conditions, various tropical diseases can mimic dengue, such as chikungunya or malaria, so ruling those out is wise. Be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider to ensure they are considering all possibilities and discussing any further testing they might recommend. Stick to their advice and return to them if you notice anything worrying. This unfortunately might take a while to fully resolve, but keep close tabs and stay in communication with your health team.
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