Also known as dengue fever, breakbone fever, and dandy fever, dengue is ENDEMIC and EPIDEMIC in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an acute infection caused by a flavivirus (family togaviridae) transmitted by mosquitoes – especially Aedes aegypti. Incubation period is 5–8 days, and is followed by abrupt onset of symptoms: fever, facial ERYTHEMA with intense itching (which spreads throughout the body), sore throat, running eyes, and painful muscles and joints are common accompaniments. The symptoms subside within a few days and are frequently succeeded by a relapse similar to the first. Further relapses may occur, and joint pains continue for some months. In uncomplicated dengue the mortality rate is virtually zero. There is no specific treatment, but mild analgesics can be used to relieve the pains, and calamine lotion the itching. Prevention can be achieved by reduction of the mosquito-vector population.
This is a more severe form of the disease which usually occurs in young children; it is largely confined to the indigenous population(s) of south-east Asia and accompanied by significant complications and mortality. Immunological status of the host is considered important in pathogenesis.