Understanding Dengue Virus: Causes, Symptoms, and Transmission

1. Dengue Virus Causes dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever Is an arbovirus Transmitted by mosquitoes Composed of single-stranded RNA Has 4 serotypes (DEN-1, 2, 3, 4)

2. Each serotype provides specific lifetime immunity, and short-term cross-immunity All serotypes can cause severe and fatal disease

3. Transmission of dengue by Aedes Aegypti

4. The viremia begins slightly before the onset of symptoms. Symptoms caused by dengue infection may last three to 10 days, with an average of five days, after the onset of symptomsso the illness persists several days after the viremia has ended.

5. Replication and Transmission of Dengue Virus (Part 1) 1 . Virus transmitted to human in mosquito saliva 2 . Virus replicates in target organs 3 . Virus infects white blood cells and lymphatic tissues 4 . Virus released and circulates in blood

6. Replication and Transmission of Dengue Virus (Part 2) 5 . Second mosquito ingests virus with blood 6 . Virus replicates in mosquito midgut and other organs, infects salivary glands 7 . Virus replicates in salivary glands

7. Aedes aegypti Mosquito

8. Aedes aegypti Dengue transmitted by infected female mosquito Primarily a daytime feeder Lives around human habitation Lays eggs and produces larvae preferentially in artificial containers

9. Vector Control Methods: Chemical Control Larvicides may be used to kill immature aquatic stages Ultra-low volume fumigation ineffective against adult mosquitoes Mosquitoes may have resistance to commercial aerosol sprays

10. Vector Control Methods: Biological and Environmental Control Biological control Largely experimental Option: place fish in containers to eat larvae Environmental control Elimination of larval habitats Most likely method to be effective in the long term

11. Programs to Minimize the Impact of Epidemics Education of the medical community Implementation of emergency contingency plan Education of the general population

12. Dengue Clinical Syndromes Undifferentiated fever Classic dengue fever Dengue hemorrhagic fever Dengue shock syndrome

13. Clinical Characteristics of Dengue Fever Fever Headache Muscle and joint pain Nausea/vomiting Rash Hemorrhagic manifestations

14. Hemorrhagic Manifestations of Dengue Skin hemorrhages: petechiae, purpura, ecchymoses Gingival bleeding Nasal bleeding Gastrointestinal bleeding: hematemesis, melena, hematochezia Hematuria Increased menstrual flow

15. Clinical Case Definition for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever 4 Necessary Criteria: Fever, or recent history of acute fever Hemorrhagic manifestations Low platelet count (100,000/mm3 or less) Objective evidence of leaky capillaries: elevated hematocrit (20% or more over baseline) low albumin pleural or other effusions

16. Clinical Case Definition for Dengue Shock Syndrome 4 criteria for DHF Evidence of circulatory failure manifested indirectly by all of the following: Rapid and weak pulse Narrow pulse pressure ( < 20 mm Hg) OR hypotension for age Cold, clammy skin and altered mental status Frank shock is direct evidence of circulatory failure

17. Danger Signs in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Abdominal pain - intense and sustained Persistent vomiting Abrupt change from fever to hypothermia, with sweating and prostration Restlessness or somnolence

18. Treatment of Dengue Fever (Part 1) Fluids Rest Antipyretics (avoid aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Monitor blood pressure, hematocrit, platelet count, level of consciousness

19. Mosquito Barriers Only needed until fever subsides, to prevent Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from biting patients and acquiring virus Keep patient in screened sickroom or under a mosquito net

20. Treatment of Dengue Fever (Part 2) Continue monitoring after defervescence If any doubt, provide intravenous fluids, guided by serial hematocrits, blood pressure, and urine output The volume of fluid needed is similar to the treatment of diarrhea with mild to moderate isotonic dehydration (5%-8% deficit)

21. Treatment of Dengue Fever (Part 3) Avoid invasive procedures when possible Unknown if the use of steroids, intravenous immune globulin, or platelet transfusions to shorten the duration or decrease the severity of thrombocytopenia is effective Patients in shock may require treatment in an intensive care unit

22. Indications for Hospital Discharge Absence of fever for 24 hours (without anti-fever therapy) and return of appetite Visible improvement in clinical picture Stable hematocrit 3 days after recovery from shock Platelets > 50,000/mm No respiratory distress from pleural effusions/ascites