ASK DR. H: What is Dengue fever?

Q: While I was on an archaeological dig in Belize last month, I came down with fever, headache and severe muscle aches. I went to a clinic there and was diagnosed with Dengue fever. What can you tell me about it? — G.H., Marietta

A: Dengue fever is caused by a virus spread by an infected mosquito. It’s an infection seen in tropical and subtropical areas like Africa, Southeast Asia, India, Caribbean countries like Jamaica, Central and South America and the Middle East. It peaks during and after the rainy season because standing water encourages mosquito proliferation. We don’t see it much in the United States.

Symptoms of uncomplicated Dengue fever include high fever, severe body aches and a rash. These symptoms might mimic flu, except that rash is not a typical finding in flu. Recent travel to an area where other folks have recently contracted Dengue fever is a big clue. While your illness was mild, there’s a severe form that is associated with a severe drop in platelet (clot cell) count, bleeding, shock and death.

There are four virus strains of Dengue virus, and once you recover from one bout, you’re immune to that strain for life. Treatment of Dengue fever mostly consists of rest, fluids and Tylenol. Antibiotics won’t help because it’s a virus. One should avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen because the platelet count typically falls during Dengue illness and those meds increase the risk of bleeding in that setting. More serious forms of Dengue fever require hospitalization.

Besides avoiding travel to endemic areas at times of the year when Dengue fever activity is high, the best way to prevent contracting Dengue fever is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. There’s no vaccine against Dengue virus. Mosquito repellents, long shirts and pants, socks and shoes, screen doors and elimination of standing water are the most proven ways to reduce one’s chance of getting Dengue fever. It is not spread person-to-person.

Dr. Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal medicine. Send questions to him at “Ask Dr. H,” P.O. Box 767787, Roswell, GA 30076. Because of the large volume of mail received, personal replies are not possible.