DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

Back to Globe
Infectious Disease

Dengue Fever

MODERATE

Mosquito-borne viral infection caused by dengue virus (4 serotypes). Transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. 100-400 million infections annually. Can progress to severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever/shock syndrome).

Global Affected

390.0M

Countries

143

Symptoms

High fever (104°F/40°C)
Severe headache
Pain behind eyes
Muscle and joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
Swollen glands
Rash
Mild bleeding (gums, nose)
Severe abdominal pain (warning sign)
Persistent vomiting
Mucosal bleeding
Lethargy/restlessness

Treatment Options

Supportive care
Fluid management
Acetaminophen (avoid NSAIDs/aspirin)
Blood transfusion (if bleeding)
ICU care (severe cases)

Risk Factors

1Living in/travel to endemic areas
2Previous dengue infection (risk of severe dengue)
3No immunity to infecting serotype
4Urban areas with Aedes mosquitoes
5Monsoon season
6Lack of mosquito control

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1NS1 antigen test (early)
  • 2IgM/IgG serology
  • 3RT-PCR
  • 4Complete blood count (thrombocytopenia)
  • 5Hematocrit (hemoconcentration)

Prognosis

Usually self-limiting (2-7 days). Severe dengue: 1-5% mortality with treatment, <1% in experienced centers. 20-30% mortality without proper care.

Prevention

  • Mosquito control (Aedes)
  • Insect repellents
  • Protective clothing
  • Dengvaxia vaccine (seropositive only)
  • Qdenga vaccine (new)
  • Eliminating breeding sites
  • Community education

Research Status

Dengvaxia vaccine (limited use: only seropositive individuals due to ADE risk). Qdenga (TAK-003) new vaccine approved. No specific antiviral. Supportive care critical. Warning signs recognition reduces mortality to <1%.

Affected Countries

ThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesMalaysiaMMKHLABangladeshIndiaLKNPBTPakistanMVSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMOChinaBrazilMexicoColombiaVenezuelaEcuadorPeruPACRGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicPRCubaTTGYSRGFPYBOArgentinaChileUYEgyptSudanSSERDJSOKenyaTanzaniaUgandaRWBIDR CongoCGGAGQCMCFTDNigeriaBJTGGhanaCILRSLGNGWGMSenegalMRMaliBFNEAOMozambiqueZambiaZimbabweMalawiMGMUSCKMSaudi ArabiaYemenOmanUAEQatarBHKuwaitIraqIranAfghanistanPakistanIndiaLKNPMMThailandLAKHVietnamMalaysiaIndonesiaPhilippinesTaiwanChinaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaPGFJNCVUSBKITVNRPWMHFMASGUMPPFWFTOWSCKNUTKASGUMPVIPRUnited States

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov
  • https://www.who.int
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.