What Is the Dengue Virus?

By james

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The dengue virus, also known as dengue fever, is a mosquito-borne illness that can lead to flu-like symptoms. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Tropical areas where large populations of mosquitos can be found tend to be the areas with the greatest risk of transmission.

Much of the world’s population is at risk for dengue, and travelers should always be prepared by looking up where current outbreaks are happening. Understanding the virus and how it is spread can help you to take preventative measures when going into high-risk areas.

1. What Are the Symptoms of the Dengue Virus?

Many people, especially teenagers and younger, can be infected with the virus and show no symptoms. When symptoms do manifest, however, they tend to resemble a severe case of the flu, including fever, nausea and vomiting, joint and muscle aches and pains, headache and rash.

A severe case of dengue fever, in addition to the above symptoms, can cause restlessness, irritability, fatigue, clammy skin, difficulty breathing, bleeding under the skin, blood in the urine, bleeding from the gums or nose, persistent vomiting and severe pain in the abdominal area. When these symptoms occur, a person may be diagnosed with dengue hemorrhagic fever.