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Infectious Illnesses
Question #19833
58 days ago
105

reason of dengue - #19833

Ira

I am really confused and worried about this whole dengue situation. A friend of mine just got diagnosed with dengue, and I can’t help but wonder, what’s the actual reason of dengue? Last month, we were all hanging out at a picnic by the river, and now she’s dealing with fever, joint pain, and just looks completely drained. Ugh, when she first started feeling sick, I thought maybe it was just a flu, but it progressed super fast. The doctor said something about mosquitoes being the reason of dengue entering her body, but I can’t wrap my head around how this whole thing works. Like, how could just a mosquito bite lead to someone being so ill? And I always thought dengue was rare, but it seems like it crops up outta nowhere. I'm thinking, could there be other reasons of dengue that we don’t know about? Maybe something regarding weather or, idk, living conditions? Also, does it mean we’re at risk too since we were all in the same place? Just trying to understand what is the reason of dengue so I can keep myself safe. Any insights, please?

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Doctors' responses

Dengue fever is indeed caused by a virus transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, primarily Aedes aegypti. This mosquito typically bites during the day, and after feeding on a person who has the dengue virus in their blood, it can then transfer the virus to other people it bites subsequently. In essence, the mosquito acts as a vector for the virus. The virus itself belongs to the Flavivirus family, and once a person is bitten, the virus enters the bloodstream, triggering symptoms like fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding manifestations. The fast progression you’re seeing is typical of dengue, which can develop into a more severe form called dengue hemorrhagic fever if not managed properly. Weather conditions can indeed play a role, as warmer climates and rainy seasons can increase mosquito breeding sites due to stagnant water. However, environmental conditions alone do not directly cause dengue; they facilitate mosquito proliferation. Proximity to an infected person does increase the risk, since if you were all bitten by the same mosquito species, there’s a likelihood of transmission—but only if those mosquitoes were previously infected. To protect oneself, it’s essential to use mosquito repellents, wear long sleeves and pants, and ensure you eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed. It’s also advisable to use mosquito nets or screens where possible. Reducing exposure to mosquitoes is key to reducing your risk. If anyone starts showing symptoms similar to dengue, prompt medical evaluation is crucial for proper management and care to prevent complications.

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