Biology Investigatory Projec Report Deng2

CONTENTS
Certificate
Acknowledgement
Introduction
Signs and Symptoms
Causes
Mechanism
Overview
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Reference and Bibliography
`
Page | 1
Introduction
Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is a mosquito-borne
infection that can lead to a severe flu-like illness. It is caused by four
different viruses and spread by Aedes mosquitoes. This may include fever,
headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is
similar to measles. In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into
life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, which results in bleeding,
thrombocytopenia, and leakage of blood plasma, or into dengue shock
syndrome, in which dangerously low blood pressure occurs.
Fast facts on dengue fever

Here are some key points about dengue fever. More detail is in the main
article.
 Dengue is transmitted by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes

albopictus, which are found throughout the world.
 Around 2.5 billion people, or 40 percent of the world's population,
live in areas where there is a risk of dengue transmission.
 Dengue is endemic in at least 100 countries in Asia, the Pacific, the
Americas, Africa, and the Caribbean.
 Symptoms usually begin 4 to 7 days after the mosquito bite and
typically last 3 to 10 days.
-
Aedes aegypti
`
Page | 2
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the disease.
Mild dengue fever
Symptoms can appear up to 7 days after being bitten by the mosquito that
carries the virus. They include:
 aching muscles and joints

 body rash that can disappear and then reappear
 high fever
 intense headache
 pain behind the eyes
 vomiting and feeling nauseous
Symptoms usually disappear after a week, and mild dengue rarely involves
serious or fatal complications.
`
Page | 3
Dengue hemorrhagic fever
At first, symptoms of DHF may be mild, but they gradually worsen within
a few days. As well as mild dengue symptoms, there may be signs of
internal bleeding. A person with Dengue hemorrhagic fever may
experience:
 bleeding from the mouth, gums, or nose

 clammy skin
 damage to lymph and blood vessels
 internal bleeding, which can lead to black vomit and faeces, or stools
 a lower number of platelets in the blood
 small blood spots under the skin
weak pulse
Without prompt treatment, DHF can be fatal.
Dengue shock syndrome
DSS is a severe form of dengue. It can be fatal. Apart from symptoms of

mild dengue fever, the person may experience:
 intense stomach pain

 disorientation
 sudden hypotension, or a fast drop in blood pressure
 heavy bleeding
 regular vomiting
blood vessels leaking fluid
Without treatment, this can result in death.
`
Page | 4
Causes
There are four dengue viruses (DENV) that cause dengue fever. Common
dengue causing virus is flavivirus. They are all spread by a species of
mosquito known as Aedes aegypti, and more rarely by the Aedes
albopictus mosquito.
The viruses jumped from monkeys to humans between 100 and 800 years
ago, according to the CDC, but dengue remained a minor problem until the
middle of the twentieth century.
Aedes aegypti originated in Africa, but nowadays it is found in tropical

areas around the world, especially in and around areas of human
population.
The virus is transmitted from an infected mosquito to a human. A mosquito

bites a person who is infected with the dengue virus, and the virus is passed
on when the mosquito bites someone else.
It is possible to have dengue fever more than once. A second infection

carries a higher risk of developing a harsher form.
`
Page | 5
Mechanism
When a mosquito carrying dengue virus bites a person, the virus enters the
skin together with the mosquito's saliva. It binds to and enters white blood
cells, and reproduces inside the cells while they move throughout the body.
The white blood cells respond by producing a number of signalling
proteins, such as cytokine and interferon, which are responsible for many of
the symptoms, such as the fever, the flu-like symptoms, and the severe
pains.
In severe infection, the virus production inside the body is greatly

increased, and many more organs (such as the liver and the bone marrow)
can be affected. Fluid from the bloodstream leaks through the wall of small
blood vessels into body cavities due to capillary permeability. As a result,
less blood circulates in the blood vessels, and the blood pressure becomes
so low that it cannot supply sufficient blood to vital organs.
Furthermore, dysfunction of the bone marrow due to infection of the

cells leads to reduced numbers of platelets, which are necessary for
effective blood clotting; this increases the risk of bleeding, the other major
complication of dengue fever.
`
Page | 6
Overview
`
Page | 7
Diagnosis
The signs and symptoms of dengue fever are similar to some other diseases,
such as typhoid fever and malaria. This can sometimes delay an accurate
diagnosis. The doctor will assess the symptoms and the person's medical
and travel history, and they may order some blood tests to confirm the
diagnosis.
The diagnosis of dengue fever may be confirmed by microbiological

laboratory testing. This can be done by virus isolation in cell
cultures, nucleic acid detection by PCR, viral antigen detection or
specific antibodies . Virus isolation and nucleic acid detection are more
accurate than antigen detection, but these tests are not widely available due
to their greater cost. All tests may be negative in the early stages of the
disease. PCR and viral antigen detection are more accurate in the first seven
days.
These laboratory tests are only of diagnostic value during the acute phase of
the illness with the exception of serology. Tests for dengue virus-specific
antibodies, types IgG and IgM, can be useful in confirming a diagnosis in
the later stages of the infection. Both IgG and IgM are produced after 5–7
days. The highest levels (titres) of IgM are detected following a primary
infection, but IgM is also produced in re-infection. After a primary
infection, IgG reaches peak levels in the blood after 14–21 days.
`
Page | 8
Treatment
Dengue is a virus, so there is no specific treatment or cure. However,
intervention can help, depending on how severe the disease is.
For milder forms, treatment includes:
 Preventing dehydration: A high fever and vomiting can dehydrate the

body. The person should drink clean water, ideally bottled rather than
tap water. Rehydration salts can also help replace fluids and minerals.
 Painkillers, such as Tylenol or paracetamol: These can help lower
fever and ease pain.
More severe forms of dengue fever may need:
 intravenous (IV) fluid supplementation, or drip, if the person cannot

take fluids by mouth
 blood transfusion, for patients with severe dehydration
 Hospitalization will allow the individual to be properly monitored, in
case symptoms get worse.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or

ibuprofen, are not advised, as they can increase the risk of internal
bleeding.
`
Page | 9
Prevention
No vaccine can protect against dengue fever. Only avoiding mosquito bites
can prevent it.
Anyone who lives in or travels to an at-risk area can use a number of ways
to avoid being bitten.
1. Clothing: Reduce the amount of skin exposed by wearing long pants,

long-sleeved shirts, and socks, tucking pant legs into shoes or socks, and
wearing a hat.
2. Mosquito repellents: Use a repellent with at least 10 percent
concentration of diethyltoluamide (DEET), or a higher concentration for
longer lengths of exposure. Avoid using DEET on young children.
3. Mosquito traps and nets: Nets treated with insecticide are more
effective, otherwise the mosquito can bite through the net if the person is
standing next to it. The insecticide will kill mosquitoes and other insects,
and it will repel insects from entering the room.
4. Door and window screens: Structural barriers, such as screens or
netting, can keep mosquitoes out.
5. Timing: Try to avoid being outside at dawn, dusk, and early evening.
6. Stagnant water: The Aedes mosquito breeds in clean, stagnant water.
Checking for and removing stagnant water can help reduce the risk.
To reduce the risk of mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water:
 turn buckets and watering cans over and store them under shelter so
that water cannot accumulate
 remove excess water from plant pot plates
 scrub containers to remove mosquito eggs
 loosen soil from potted plants, to prevent puddles forming on the
surface
`
Page | 10
 make sure scupper drains are not blocked and do not place potted
plants and other objects over them
 use non-perforated gully traps, install anti-mosquito valves, and cover
any traps that are rarely used
 do not place receptacles under an air-conditioning unit
 change the water in flower vases every second day and scrub and
rinse the inside of the vase
prevent leaves from blocking anything that may result in the

accumulation of puddles or stagnant water
When camping or picnicking, choose an area that is away from still water.
`
Page | 11
Reference and Bibliography
 Aakash Medical Study Package
 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179471.php
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever
 http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/dengue.htm
`
Page | 12

Biology Investigatory Projec Report Deng2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Biology Investigatory Projec Report Deng2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Biology Investigatory Projec Report Deng2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CONTENTS

Fast facts on dengue fever

 Dengue is transmitted by the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes

Mild dengue fever

 aching muscles and joints

 bleeding from the mouth, gums, or nose

Dengue shock syndrome

DSS is a severe form of dengue. It can be fatal. Apart from symptoms of

 intense stomach pain

Aedes aegypti originated in Africa, but nowadays it is found in tropical

The virus is transmitted from an infected mosquito to a human. A mosquito

It is possible to have dengue fever more than once. A second infection

In severe infection, the virus production inside the body is greatly

Furthermore, dysfunction of the bone marrow due to infection of the

The diagnosis of dengue fever may be confirmed by microbiological

For milder forms, treatment includes:

 Preventing dehydration: A high fever and vomiting can dehydrate the

More severe forms of dengue fever may need:

 intravenous (IV) fluid supplementation, or drip, if the person cannot

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or

1. Clothing: Reduce the amount of skin exposed by wearing long pants,

To reduce the risk of mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water:

You might also like