Dengue virus is a Flavivirus from the family Flaviviridae that is responsible for causing Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection that affects humans. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti. It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.
The Dengue virus is a single-stranded RNA virus with four distinct serotypes, DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4. Each serotype is capable of causing the disease independently and can result in varying degrees of severity. Once the virus enters the human bloodstream, it replicates in target cells, such as monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
The primary symptoms of Dengue fever include sudden high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. In some cases, the infection can progress to a severe form known as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), characterized by bleeding, organ impairment, and low platelet count, which can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
Currently, there is no specific treatment for Dengue fever, and management mainly focuses on symptomatic relief and supportive care. Prevention primarily involves controlling the mosquito population through environmental measures, such as proper waste management, eliminating standing water sources, and using protective measures, including insect repellents and bed nets.
Efforts are ongoing to develop effective vaccines against Dengue virus, with some vaccines already licensed for use in certain countries to prevent infection and reduce the risk of severe dengue.
