As a rule, dengue infections are not fatal. However, the risk of this increases dramatically if you are infected with two different types of virus at the same time. This is because the dengue virus that causes the disease comes in different subtypes.
And re-infection with the virus of a different subtype can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever. In addition to a rapid rise in fever and severe headache, severe bleeding of the internal organs occurs here 2 to 6 days after the onset of the disease, which can lead to death. Signs of meningitis may also occur.
Therapy of dengue fever
Dengue fever can only be treated symptomatically, so only drugs for fever and pain are given. In this case, acetylsalicylic acid is ruled out as an active ingredient because it supports the increased bleeding tendency that can occur in this disease. In hemorrhagic dengue fever, the fluid and electrolyte balance must also be balanced.
Anyone who suddenly falls ill with the symptoms during a tropical vacation should by no means take an acetylsalicylic acid preparation, but should instead resort to another fever– and pain-reducing agent such as ibuprofen or naproxen. When compiling a first-aid kit for travel, this should be taken into account.
Prevention through mosquito repellent
Anyone who contracts dengue fever once is immune for life to the subtype of the virus with which they were infected. However, the presence of the four different subtypes makes re-infection with the original subtype unlikely.
In December 2015, a vaccine against dengue fever was approved for the first time in Mexico, the Philippines and Brazil. However, as there is still no approved vaccination against the virus in Germany, the only remaining preventive measure is intensive mosquito protection, which includes skin protection products and bite-proof clothing. Detailed travel planning that excludes the rainy season as a travel time if possible can also contain the risk of infection.
Dengue facts in brief
- Pathogen: flavivirus, four subtypes are known.
- Distribution: tropics and subtropics
- Vectors: diurnal and nocturnal mosquitoes, mostly Aedes species.
- Incubation period: two to ten days
- Symptoms: Fever, pain in the limbs, rarely hemorrhages or shock.
- Therapy: symptomatic, no acetylsalicylic acid.
- Prophylaxis: protection from mosquitoes day and night. There is no approved vaccination in Germany yet.
