What Dengue actually is? When did it start spreading in Pakistan?

Dengue is not the name of any mosquito rather it is the name of viral infection which is caused by a mosquito Aedes Aegypti. The insect transmits the Dengue Virus into humans by biting at different parts of the body. According to experts’ research the mosquito bites during early morning and evening time.

 

Its infection is indicated by the following symptoms:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Exhaustion
• Generalized body aches
• Pain behind eyes, back pain, as well as severe muscular pain, redness in palms and soles
• Swollen glands
• Bleeding from gums, vomit with blood

 

The favorite places for mosquito are usually near the human habitations, in fresh water from different sources including water jars, vases, tubs, discarded containers, swimming pools, coconut husks and worn out tires.

 

The reports have also revealed that the mosquito not only carries dengue virus but also have tendency to transmit the viruses, causing disease similar to dengue fever.

 

The virus of Dengue was first reported in Africa and later it spread in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Although most of the people in Pakistan became familiar with Dengue Virus this year, but this fatal virus is present in the country since 1994, when first case of its attack was found in Karachi. Gradually it started spreading to the northern parts of Pakistan. A considerable number of Dengue cases were reported in Pakistan, particularly in Karachi and soon its prominent attack was seen in the city of Lahore.

 

Its attack kept on increasing in the following years in the country, but the year 2011 have been worst of all, as the Dengue Virus has resulted in alarming death rates, especially in Lahore.

 

Health experts have indicated four types of Dengue Viruses in Pakistan, out of which two are considered more fatal. As the Dengue first entered in Karachi, and at that time two of its forms were known. However, later in 2008, third type of Dengue was reported in Lahore, while the fourth type was discovered in the same city in the year 2011. Punjab is the most affected province of the country affected with Dengue virus, as all four types of Dengue viruses are reported to be present in this province.

 

The commonly known Dengue fevers are as follows:

 

1. Dengue fever
2. Dengue hemorrhagic fever

Dengue fever (DF):

The symptoms of this dengue fever are just like severe flu-like illness, it is usually caught by infants, young children and adults; however seldom proves dangerous.

 

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF):

Comparative to DF, it is a deadly viral infection, which occurs as a result of frequent mosquito bites. Although, symptoms of both types of Dengue fever are alike but DHF patents show sudden deterioration in their condition, after 2 to 5 days of mosquito attack. In case of mild disease, the sign and symptoms of Dengue virus start reducing after few days. On the other hand, the severe disease results keep on weakening the human immune system, as the platelets and white blood cells start decreasing to an alarming number. This causes several notable symptoms including bleeding from the nose, gums, mouth or in the skin, causing purplish bruises.

Some of the patients with sever attacks also suffer low blood pressure and shocks, causing deaths within 12 to 24 hours.

Posted by Asma Altaf on Oct 13 2011. Filed under Health, Latest News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry