What Is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne virus affecting more than 390 million people each
year carried by Aedes Aegypti Mosquito. While the disease is generally mild, it can be
deadly.

Recent research shows dengue is between 100 and 800 years old. It likely originated in
Africa or Southeast Asia and was then carried to other parts of the world through travel
and trade.

In recent years, dengue has spread to over 100 countries. Now, travelers to popular
destinations like Brazil and India could contract the disease.

The virus is also known as ‘breakbone fever’ due to its symptoms.

What Are The Symptoms of Dengue?

Unlike other diseases, dengue has different symptoms depending on the stage it is in.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, dengue’s most common symptoms are:

Dengue Fever Symptoms

TYPICAL SYMPTOMS DANGEROUS SYMPTOMS

High Fever Severe Abdominal Pain

Severe Headache Persistent Vomiting

Severe Eye Pain Red Spots or Patches On Skin

Joint Pain Vomiting Blood

Muscle and/or Bone Pain Black, Tarry Stools

Rash Drowsiness or Irritability

Easy Bruising, Mild Nose or Gum Bleeding Pale, Cold or Clammy Skin

Low White Cell Count Difficulty Breathing

Source: Centers for Disease Control

The virus can show symptoms quickly. Fever, headache, joint pain and bleeding can
last for up to seven days.
Generally, younger children and those experiencing their first dengue infection have
milder symptoms. It is possible to contract dengue more than once.

How Does Dengue Spread?

Like its cousins chikungunya and Zika, the dengue virus spreads through mosquito
bites. Dengue often spreads when:

 A mosquito (usually of the Aedes species) bites an infected human.

 This mosquito is now infected with dengue fever. Mosquitoes are only carriers of
the disease, it does not affect them as it does humans.
 The mosquito bites a human. That human is now infected with the virus. He or she
will then infect any unaffected mosquitoes that bite them.

According to the CDC, about 75 percent of all dengue infections show no symptoms.
Around 20 percent of dengue symptoms are mild. But, five percent will develop severe,
life-threatening symptoms.

Be sure to use repellents and nettings to avoid mosquito bites.

How Can I Prevent Dengue Fever?

As a mosquito-borne disease, preventing dengue is as simple as preventing mosquito
bites. There is no approved dengue vaccine in the United States.

Many health organizations suggest the following to protect yourself from dengue:

 Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.

 Treat clothes with repellents like permethrin.
 Use EPA-registered mosquito repellent like DEET.
 Consider using mosquito netting if you will be in an areas with many mosquitoes.
 Make sure windows and doors screens are closed to avoid allowing mosquitoes
into inclosed spaces.
 Avoid areas with standing water. Especially at times of high mosquito activity like
dawn and dusk.

Passport Health locations carry kits specifically designed to help prevent mosquito bites
and mosquito-borne disease. Be sure to take one with you on your next trip.