Different Classification of Dengue. How Can You Recognize Their Symptoms?
There are four types of dengue viruses (DENV1-4) that have been identified1,2. Dengue is caused by any one of these four types of viruses. All four types have been circulating globally and affects people of all ages1.
Malaysia is a country where dengue is hyperendemic3. Hyperendemicity is defined as a situation where there are persistent, high levels of dengue occurrence4. Every four to five years, dengue outbreaks in Malaysia tend to soar higher5.The year 2019 saw the highest dengue cases in our country with 131,101 of cases reported6.
Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite mainly during the day usually early in the morning and in the evening before dusk1. The virus circulates in the blood of an infected person(incubated) for about 4-10 days before that person starts to show symptoms of dengue1. It is possible to be infected 4 times over the course of your lifetime. A second infection caused by a different virus type can increase your risk of severe dengue1.
While most dengue infections are asymptomatic, symptomatic dengue is classified into 2 main types, which are dengue (with and without warning signs) and severe dengue1. It is important to look out for warning signs even if you only have mild dengue as it may potentially escalate to a severe dengue.
Dengue
What is dengue? Dengue is a mosquito borne viral disease caused by any of the four types of dengue virus1.
The incubation period for dengue is 4-10 days, with most people experiencing symptoms for 2-7 days after that1.
Symptoms of dengue include1,2:
- Fever (high temperature usually up to 40 °C)
- Headache
- Pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen glands
- Rash
Dengue With Warning Signs
What are the warning signs of dengue?
3-7 days after the onset of dengue, some patients may deteriorate1. If you or your family member have dengue, you will need to pay attention when the body temperature drops below 38 °C and is accompanied by one of the following symptoms1,7:
Severe stomach ache
Persistent vomiting
Rapid breathing
Bleeding gums
Blood vomiting
Fatigue
Restlessness
Excessive sleepiness
Severe Dengue
WHO previously classified dengue into dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever8. However, the classification was revised due to several reasons8:
1. The symptoms can overlap during febrile phase of the infection and difficult to differentiate
2. Dengue with shock can happened without fulfilling all criteria of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF)
3. Patient can get organ impairment without shock4. The initial classification doesn’t address the whole spectrum of dengue
As mentioned above, WHO now has classified dengue into its level of severity which helps in the management of the patient8.Severe dengue can be fatal due to plasma leakage, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or organ dysfunction1.
Dengue Haemorrhagic fever
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is one of the common term that you may have heard when talking about dengue. So, what is it?
Dengue haemorrhagic fever previously diagnosed with 4 major criteria which are9:
High fever
Bleeding (haemorrhage)
Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)
Circulatory failure (in severe cases)
One with dengue fever may presented with these symptoms 3-5 days after the fever starts which may indicate DHF9.
Bleeding
Difficulty breathing (pleural effusion)
Restless
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Sudden temperature drop
Dengue Shock Syndrome
Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) or shock can happen in dengue patient as the result of severe plasma leakage8,10.
Shock is characterised by10:
Pulse is fast but weak
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Reduced perfusion (delay capillary refill time)
Cold and clammy skin
Restlessness
Summary of Dengue Classification
References1,8
What To Do If You Suspect You Have Dengue?
If you think you may have dengue, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. There is no specific cure for the disease1, but with early diagnosis and treatment most patients can recover even from severe dengue1. Delay of treatment may lead to shock or organ failure which increases the risk of fatality10.
Treatment of dengue typically involves rest, plenty of fluids, and pain relief11,12. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary13.
For severe dengue, medical care provided by physicians and nurses familiar with the disease's symptoms and progression can save lives, lowering mortality rates to less than 1% in the majority of countries1.
References
1. World Health Organisation. Dengue and Severe Dengue | https://tinyurl.com/46vwdxu7 | Accessed on September 23, 2022
2. Kaur. J. Demam Denggi. Portal | https://tinyurl.com/2kj8u8bx | Accessed on September 23, 2022
3. Rathakrishnan A, Klekamp B, Wang SM, Komarasamy TV, Natkunam SK, Sathar J, et al. (2014) Clinical and Immunological Markers of Dengue Progression in a Study Cohort from a Hyperendemic Area in Malaysia. PLoS ONE 9(3): e92021 | https://tinyurl.com/yck86uwh | Accessed on September 23, 2022
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology | https://tinyurl.com/wtnp8djx | Accessed on September 23, 2022
5. 'Malaysia catat Kes demam Denggi Terendah Sejak Sedekad Lalu'. (2022, January 31) Berita Harian | https://tinyurl.com/4wc5pzmk | Accessed September 15, 2022
6. CodeBlue. (2020, January 6). Malaysia reports 130,000 dengue cases in 2019, highest since 2015 | https://tinyurl.com/26365jyk | Accessed on September 23, 2022
7. Tanda-tanda amaran bagi jangkitan denggi yang teruk. World Health Organisation - Western Pacific Region. | https://tinyurl.com/5ayww5mr | Accessed on September 23, 2022
8. Ministry of Health Malaysia. 2015. Clinical Practice Guideline - Management of Dengue Infection In Adults (Third Edition) | https://tinyurl.com/yc7a2xwv | Accessed on September 23, 2022
9. Wang, W.-H., Urbina, A. N., Chang, M. R., Assavalapsakul, W., Lu, P.-L., Chen, Y.-H., & Wang, S.-F. (2020, March 26). Dengue hemorrhagic fever – a systemic literature review of current perspectives on pathogenesis, prevention and Control. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection | https://tinyurl.com/2p83nntx | Accessed on September 28, 2022
10. World Health Organization. (1970, January 1). Comprehensive guideline for prevention and control of Dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever. revised and expanded edition | https://tinyurl.com/4k8pvttr | Accessed on September 23, 2022
11. MIMS. Supportive Therapy | MIMS Malaysia | https://tinyurl.com/23p2arr7 | Accessed on September 23, 2022
12. MIMS. Dengue Treatment | MIMS Malaysia | https://tinyurl.com/3pavak3p | Accessed on September 23, 2022
13. MIMS. Dengue Diagnosis | MIMS Malaysia | https://tinyurl.com/4vuckzze | Accessed on September 23, 2022
C-ANPROM/MY/DENV/0088 OCT 2022
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Disclaimer: This information is available to public for information purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not intended to substitute consultation with a healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice