Category: Health

Answer of what is Dengue fever or break bone fever is an illness due to an infection with a virus of

the family “Flaviviridae” and actually there are four strains of this virus and we name them :[DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4]

which are single stranded RNA viruses.

What is Dengue fever ( transmittion )

It is a mosquito-borne disease (the viruses that cause it are transmitted through mosquitoes) , it’s transmitted from infected

to susceptible humans by day- biting “Aedes Egypti” mosquitoes (a domestic mosquito that breeds in human-made containers), also not transmitted directly

from one person to another, and therefore special infection control measures are not required for suspected cases in hospital.

On the other hand women who get dengue fever during pregnancy may be able to spread the virus

to the baby during childbirth , babies of women who get dengue fever during pregnancy

have a higher risk of low birth weight or fetal distress

Symptoms and signs

Infection may be subclinical (asymptomatic) but if there are symptoms, they vary from a benign

febrile illness to a severe, life- threatening syndrome (dengue hemorrhagic fever/ dengue shock syndrome)

Dengue fever

• Maculopapular rash, with blanching rash typically appears after a few days, and is characteristic (white islands in a sea of red)
• Fever
• severe headache
• retro-orbital pain
• intense myalgia
• arthralgia (hence the name ; break bone fever)

Dengue fever usually lasts for 4 to7 days, followed by complete recovery or it may progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever / Dengue shock syndrome

After 2 to 7 days of dengue fever, more serious manifestations of disease become apparent as increased vascular permeability and hemorrhage .

Without treatment, mortality is 50%, but simple supportive care can reduce mortality to less than 1%.

Adequate plasma expansion with simple crystalloid solutions is the cornerstone of therapy.

The vascular leak syndrome typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours, and careful monitoring is required

to avoid fluid overload during the recovery phase.

Severe complications include:

• Bleeding without evidence of vascular leak in particular of gastro-intestinal tract
• menorrhagia
• Encephalopathy
• Encephalitis
• Blood pressure can drop to dangerous levels, causing shock
• May lead to death (rare)

Epidemiology (areas affected by this disease)

Dengue fever occur in tropical and subtropical climate, so it is most common in Southeast Asia, Caribbean

Africa, Latin America and recently it reached countries in Europe and United States.

What is Dengue fever (treatment)

Treatment of this disease is symptomatic treatment because there isn’t an antiviral medication for it.

Patient must drink plenty of fluids and Taking his shower with warm water

And Shouldn’t eat heavy meals ,It is preferable to take medications which reduce fever as “paracetamol”

but be attention not to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) because they have the ability to increase hemorrhage

Prevention against dengue fever

1. Dengue vaccine (Denguvaxia),for people ages 9-45 years old ,The world health organization (WHO) recommends the vaccine

only to persons with confirmed prior dengue virus ,three doses of vaccine, each shot is spaced 6 months apart.

2. Vector (mosquito) , control is effective but difficult to sustain , you can rid mosquitoes of their breeding grounds near your home

by covering any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs, also change the water in containers which cannot be covered such as flower vases.

Ensure the environment surrounding your home is clean and tidy, and there is not a single place which

could become waterlogged, allowing for mosquitoes to breed.

3. Insecticide spraying may help control an outbreak.

4. wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and shoes to prevent mosquitoes from biting you

Conclusion

Dengue fever may have very bad complications, so we should take care of ourselves.

Once we feel that we have any symptom of the disease, we should tell our doctor to diagnose us.

If you have to travel to a country that has this virus, be careful and wear clothes that cover all your body.

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Effects of high temperature

In recent years, global attention has turned to the resurgence of an infectious disease that was once considered rare: monkeypox.

While its name might evoke images of primates, monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease

that can affect both humans and animals.

It was first identified in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name.

However, the virus is more commonly spread by rodents and other small mammals.

Since then, sporadic outbreaks have been reported, particularly in Central and West Africa, but a more alarming spread has been observed globally since 2022.

What is Monkeypox ?

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus

which also includes the variola virus responsible for smallpox.

While monkeypox is less contagious and severe than smallpox, it shares many similarities in symptoms and transmission methods.

Unlike smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980 thanks to a global vaccination campaign, monkeypox remains endemic in several African countries.

Its potential for broader outbreaks has raised concern due to its ability to jump

from animals to humans and spread through human-to-human contact.

Symptoms and Progression

The incubation period for monkeypox is typically 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. The disease often begins with flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. One distinguishing feature is the swelling of lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), a trait that sets it apart from other pox-like illnesses such as smallpox.

Within 1 to 3 days after the appearance of fever, a rash develops, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash evolves through several stages – from macules (flat lesions) to papules (raised lesions), vesicles (fluid-filled blisters), pustules (pus-filled lesions), and finally crusts, which fall off as they heal. The rash can be painful and may lead to scarring in some cases.

While most patients recover within 2 to 4 weeks, severe cases can occur, especially in young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Complications include secondary infections, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Is Monkeypox Deadly ?

For the majority of people, monkeypox is not fatal .

The case fatality rate (CFR) varies depending on the strain of the virus and the region where the outbreak occurs.

There are two distinct strains (clades) of the monkeypox virus: the Central African (Congo Basin) strain and the West African strain.

The Central African strain is known to cause more severe disease and has a higher CFR, estimated at around 10%

while the West African strain, which has been responsible for most cases outside Africa, has a CFR of about 1-3%.

How is Monkeypox Transmitted ?

Monkeypox spreads primarily through close contact with an infected person or animal.

The virus can be transmitted via respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, or direct contact with lesions.

In addition to human-to-human transmission, zoonotic transmission – from animals to humans – can occur through bites, scratches, or the handling of infected animals.

In recent outbreaks, evidence has shown that monkeypox can also spread through respiratory secretions

during prolonged face-to-face contact, sexual contact, and contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing.

Notably, monkeypox is not as easily transmitted as COVID-19 or the flu, and it requires close and prolonged contact to spread efficiently.

Nevertheless, the ability of the virus to persist in the environment for extended periods on surfaces

adds to its potential for widespread transmission in densely populated areas.

Causes and Risk Factors

The primary cause of monkeypox outbreaks is human contact with infected animals or individuals.

In Africa, the hunting and consumption of bushmeat (wild animals) are considered a major risk factor for zoonotic transmission.

International travel and globalization have also played a role in recent outbreaks

as the virus can be transported across borders when infected individuals travel.

Furthermore, since the global eradication of smallpox in the late 20th century

routine smallpox vaccinations have ceased.

This has led to a growing population of individuals who lack immunity to poxviruses, including monkeypox.

As a result, the population’s vulnerability to monkeypox has increased, which may partially explain the recent upsurge in cases outside Africa.

Though the disease can be painful and lead to complications, particularly in immunocompromised individuals

most people recover fully.

However, the recent global spread and the fact that severe cases can occur, especially in vulnerable populations, have raised concerns among public health officials.

The possibility of monkeypox becoming a larger global health threat has spurred efforts to improve surveillance, vaccination, and treatment options.

Prevention and Treatment

Currently, there is no specific treatment for monkeypox, though antiviral drugs like

Tecovirimat have shown promise in treating severe cases.

Supportive care, such as pain management, hydration, and treatment of secondary

infections, remains the primary approach for managing the disease.

Vaccination is another key tool in preventing monkeypox.

The smallpox vaccine, which was used during the global eradication campaign

provides some protection against monkeypox as well.

In recent outbreaks, healthcare workers and high-risk populations have been

offered smallpox vaccines to control the spread.

The availability of a new, safer vaccine (Imvamune or Jynneos) specifically

approved for monkeypox has improved the ability to prevent the disease.

Conclusion

While monkeypox may not have the pandemic potential of more contagious

diseases like COVID-19, its resurgence is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of zoonotic diseases.

Public health vigilance, combined with vaccination and education,is essential in controlling outbreaks and preventing the virus from gaining a stronger foothold.

With continued research, global collaboration, and a focus on protecting vulnerable populations

we can minimize the impact of monkeypox and better prepare for any future outbreaks.