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Symptoms of dengue fever

Dengue fever, or breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. Rarely, the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue haemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.

Dengue is transmitted by several species of Aedes mosquito, mainly A. aegypti. First described in 1779, the incidence of dengue fever has increased dramatically since the Second World War, with around 390 million people infected each year, of whom about 40,000 die. The virus is endemic in more than 120 countries, mainly in Southeast Asia, South Asia and South America. Infection with one of the five viral types usually gives lifelong immunity to that type but only short-term immunity to the others, and subsequent infection with a different type increases the risk of severe complications. Treatment of acute dengue is supportive, using oral or intravenous fluids for mild or moderate disease; blood transfusion may be required in more severe cases. A vaccine against dengue fever is available. Reducing mosquito habitats and limiting exposure to bites are the other main methods of control.