Dengue hemorrhagic fever

Alternative names:

dengue shock syndrome; hemorrhagic dengue; Philippine hemorrhagic fever; Singapore hemorrhagic fever; Thai hemorrhagic fever

Definition:

A severe, frequently fatal infection caused by one of several Dengue viruses and spread by the bite of mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). See also Dengue fever.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Multiple viruses have been implicated in both Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dengue hemorrhagic fever occurs when several types of virus are present at the same time or when the patient has contracted a second or third virus after previous infections by another type. Prior immunity to a different Dengue virus type is important in the production of this severe disease.

Early symptoms of Dengue hemorrhagic fever are similar to those of Dengue fever but after several days the patient becomes irritable, restless, and sweaty followed by a shock-like state. Bleeding may appear as pinpoint spots of blood on the skin (petechiae) and larger patches of blood under the skin (ecchymoses). Bleeding may occur from minor injuries. Death generally occurs from shock. If the patient survives, recovery begins after a one-day crisis period.