Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

What is DHF?

• is a severe, potentially deadly

infection spread by certain
mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti)
• is an acute infections disease
manifested initially with fever
• Are acute febrile diseases,
found in the tropics and Africa,
with a geographical spread
similar to malaria.
History of DHF
– The origins of the word dengue are not
clear, but one theory is that it is derived
from the Swahili phrase "Ka-dinga pepo",
which describes the disease as being
caused by an evil spirit.[30] The Swahili
word "dinga" may possibly have its origin in
the Spanish word "dengue" (fastidious or
careful), describing the gait of a person
suffering dengue fever[31] or, alternatively,
the Spanish word may derive from the
Swahili.[32] It may also be attributed to the
phrase meaning "Break bone fever",
referencing the fact that pain in the bones
is a common symptom.
How a re de ng ue an d
den gue h emor rha gic
fever spr ead ?
• Dengue is transmitted to people by
the bite of an Aedes mosquito that is
infected with a dengue virus. The
mosquito becomes infected with
dengue virus when it bites a person
who has dengue or DHF and after
about a week can transmit the virus
while biting a healthy person.
Dengue cannot be spread directly
from person to person.
Causes
• Four different dengue viruses have been shown to
cause dengue hemorrhagic fever. This condition
occurs when a person catches a different dengue
virus after being infected by another type sometime
before. Prior immunity to a different dengue virus
type plays an important role in this severe disease.
• Worldwide, more than 100 million cases of dengue
fever occur every year. A small number of these
develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever. Most
infections in the United States are brought in from
other countries. It is possible for a traveler who has
returned to the United States to pass the infection
to someone who has not traveled.
• Risk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever include
having antibodies to dengue virus from prior
infection and being younger than 12, female, or
Caucasian.
Signs and Symptoms
• Early symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever
are similar to those of dengue fever, but after
several days the patient becomes irritable,
restless, and sweaty.

• DHF is characterized by a fever that lasts from

2 to 7 days, with general signs and symptoms
that could occur with many other illnesses.

Fever
Respiratory symptoms
Headache
Sore throat
Abdominal pain
Treatment
• Because Dengue hemorrhagic fever is
caused by a virus for which there is no
known cure or vaccine, the only treatment
is to treat the symptoms.
– Rehydration with intravenous (IV) fluids is
often necessary to treat dehydration.
– IV fluids and electrolytes are also used to
correct electrolyte imbalances .
– A transfusion of fresh blood or platelets can
correct bleeding problems.
– Oxygen therapy may be needed to treat
abnormally low blood oxygen.
Prevention
• Hemorrhagic fevers can be prevented through vector
control and personal protection measures. Attempts have
been made in urban and settled areas to destroy
mosquito and rodent populations. In areas where such
measures are impossible, individuals can use insect
repellents, mosquito netting, and other methods to
minimize exposure.

• The emphasis for dengue prevention is on sustainable,

community-based, integrated mosquito control, with
limited reliance on insecticides (chemical larvicides and
adulticides). Preventing epidemic disease requires a
coordinated community effort to increase awareness
about dengue/DHF, how to recognize it, and how to
control the mosquito that transmits it. Residents are
responsible for keeping their yards and patios free of
sites where mosquitoes can be produced.
Where can outbreaks of
dengue occur?
• Outbreaks of dengue occur primarily in areas where
Aedes aegypti (sometimes also Aedes albopictus)
mosquitoes live. This includes most tropical urban
areas of the world. Dengue viruses may be
introduced into areas by travelers who become
infected while visiting other areas of the tropics
where dengue commonly exists.
• In the America region, all dengue virus serotypes
are now present. DEN-3 was reintroduced into
Central America in 1994 and is now found in several
countries in the region. Since this serotype has
been absent from the Americas for almost 20 years,
the population has a low level of immunity and the
virus is expected to spread rapidly.
THE END