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WHAT IS IT?

Dengue is a viral disease caused by any one of four closely related dengue viruses. The viruses are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Dengue virus is most often spread to people by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which also spread Chikungunya and Zika. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. There has never been a locally-acquired dengue case in Georgia, with most cases in the United States citizens occurring in Puerto Rico or travel to Dengue endemic areas.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

  • High Fever
  • Severe Headache
  • Severe Pain behind the eyes
  • Muscle, Joint, Bone pain
  • Rash
  • Mild Bleeding (gums, nose, easy bruising)

Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults. Symptoms generally begin 4 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue usually lasts 3 to 10 days.

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a complication of dengue fever that tends to affect children under the age of 10. Without proper treatment, the mortality rate of DHF is 20%. Symptoms include:

  • Vomiting
  • Severe Abdominal Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing