OUTLINES Introduction History and prevalence of dengue in different countries Symptoms Causes Treatment Conclusion Nowadays many people

suffer from dengue. Dengue fever is an infectious disease carried by mosquitoes and caused by any four related dengue viruses. This disease used to be called break-bone fever because it sometimes causes severe joint and muscle pain. Dengue fever is a quite dangerous febrile (Feverish) disease can be found in the tropics and Africa. Dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which also transmits diseases as yellow fever.

Health experts have known about dengue fever from more than 200 years. Dengue or dengue-like epidemics were reported throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries in America, southern Europe, north Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, Asia and Australia and various Islands in the Indian Ocean, the south and central Pacific and the Caribbean. It has steadily increased in both incidence and distribution over the past 40 years. Annually, it is estimated that there are 20 million cases of dengue infection, resulting in around 24,000 deaths. Dengue fever is a flu-like viral disease common throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world, mainly in urban and pre-urban areas. Today, it afflicts (cause physical pain and suffering) an estimated 50 million to 100 million in the tropics. The symptoms of dengue fever are severe headache, pain in the muscles and joints, and rash that can be described as small red spots. Some patients experience gastritis, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, and pain in the muscles and joints. A rash usually appears 3 to 4 days after the start of the fever. Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite are common.

Each type of the dengue virus is re-emerging worldwide, especially in the western hemisphere. Researches have shown that several factors are contributing to the resurgence dengue fever such as uncontrolled urbanization, increased international travel, substandard socio-economical conditions,

and finally global warming. Global warming has shown to be a major contributor to the spread of dengue fever. Global warming can cause dry spells in some countries and increased rainfall and humidity in others. The dry spells reduce small medium bodies of water like springs and ponds to small puddles that become potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. Likewise increased rainfall and humidity also leads to collection of water that affords possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Dengue is spread by the Aedes Aegypti, a domestic, day-biting mosquito that prefers to bite humans. They breed in clean water. Currently there is no vaccine available to prevent dengue. Scientists are also trying to invent a vaccine against dengue fever, but the researches are only at the stage of experiments yet. The only treatment is rest and intake of plenty of fluids like water, juices, milk etc.

The researchers therefore conclude that dengue fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fever and rash in the returning traveler. Dermatologists should be aware of the distinctive exanthema of dengue fever. Recognition of the dengue fever rash permits a rapid and early diagnosis, which is critical as dengue fever can progress to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which is fatal and obviously can cause death to the victim.