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Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a dengue virus infection disease caused by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The symptoms of DHF are often misinterpreted as symptoms of a normal fever, so they are treated only at home. In fact, if maximum treatment is not given, DHF can cause damage to blood vessels.
Before we go into explaining the symptoms of DHF, it is important to know the characteristics of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. According to Widia (2009) in repository.poltekkes-denpasar.ac.id, its features include:
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- Small body.
- Black in color with white spots.
- It usually sucks blood in the morning and evening.
- Living in stagnant water, inside or outside the house.
- The flight range is about 100 meters.
- The age of female mosquitoes can reach about 1 month.
What are the symptoms of DHF in adults and children? How to prevent it? Come on, check out this article to be even more vigilant!
Symptoms of DHF in adults
Symptoms of DHF that occur in adults are usually common symptoms that also occur in children, including:
1. High fever
High fever is a common symptom of DHF, so even children can experience it. Fever in DHF occurs suddenly and is difficult to distinguish from ordinary fever. One of the things that differentiates, common fever is sometimes accompanied by coughing and sneezing, while DHF is not.
Not always suddenly, as mentioned in an article titled Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever written by Nur Syafiqah Binti Mat Yusoff, fever can also come on gradually. Starting with a mild fever, then high fever (> 38 degrees C). This fever usually lasts 2-7 days.
2. Muscle pain
Besides fever, the next symptom of DHF is muscle pain in parts. Usually in the joints, bones or behind the eyes. Usually these symptoms appear in 4-10 days when the body is attacked by DHF.
It doesn’t just occur in adults, children can experience it too, accompanied by fever and headache. These symptoms may also be accompanied by chills.
3. Headache
It’s not a normal headache, a headache that is a symptom of DHF is quite intense. It will usually feel heavy around the forehead, especially if accompanied by pain behind the eyes. This pain will make it difficult for DHF sufferers to sleep and rest.
4. Digestive disorders
People with DHF usually experience discomfort in their back and abdomen. These symptoms appear 2-4 days after the virus enters the body. This disorder can manifest itself in the form of nausea, vomiting or pain in the pit of the stomach.
5. The body feels tired
Fatigue in the body when attacked by disease is natural. In DHF symptoms, fatigue is caused by decreased appetite. As a result, the body lacks energy and the immune system is weakened.
Symptoms of DHF in children
One explanation was quoted by Gina Noor Djalilah, a health expert at UM Surabaya and a lecturer in pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Muhammadiyah University Surabaya (UM Surabaya), cited by the um-surabaya.ac.id page, the Di Following are the symptoms of DHF in children:
1. The first symptoms
- Have a high fever for about 3-14 days.
- Digestive problems (nausea and vomiting).
- Muscle aches and pains throughout the body.
- Red rash on the skin.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
2. Weakened immunity
These severe symptoms of DHF are caused by weak body immunity and delays in treatment. These symptoms usually begin within 24 to 48 hours or when the fever is day 4 to day 5. Symptoms include:
- Stomach ache.
- Abdominal pain when pressed.
- Hypothermia.
- Vomiting or bloody stools.
- Bleeding gums.
- Nosebleeds.
- Decreased blood platelets.
- Feeling easily agitated.
- The body feels tired.
3. Dengue shock syndrome (DSS)
If not managed properly, it can cause dengue shock syndrome (DSS), or shock syndrome in DHF sufferers. Symptoms experienced include:
- Sudden bleeding, usually from the gums, nose or mouth.
- Blood pressure dropped dramatically.
- The pulse is weak.
- vascular leak.
- Decreased urine output.
- Decreased blood platelets.
- Organ failure.
This symptom is very fatal if you don’t get medical attention right away, especially since a child’s immune system is not as strong as an adult’s. Therefore, parents should be more aware of the symptoms of DHF occurring in children.
Causes of DHF
The main cause of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is infection with the dengue virus through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In 2009, WHO divided dengue fever into dengue fever and severe DHF. The main symptoms that differentiate DHF from dengue fever are increased vascular permeability and plasma leakage.
DHF stage
Reported from the yankes.kemkes.go.id page, the DHF is broken down into several phases, including:
1. Initial stage
The initial stage of dengue fever is characterized by symptoms similar to malaria or flu. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, joint pain and digestive problems. Since the symptoms are almost the same as a normal fever, it is often misunderstood and not managed properly.
2. Critical stage
At this stage, there will be severe signs, such as abdominal pain and pain, vomiting, body temperature rising to 37.5-38 degrees Celsius, rapid pulse, and shivering. If not treated right away, dengue fever can lead to more serious illnesses, such as leaking blood vessels.
3. Recovery phase
This stage is marked by the improvement of the patient’s condition, increased appetite and normal blood circulation. The fever also gradually decreased. However, at this stage the patient has to maintain a nutritious diet and has to increase blood platelet levels which were previously low due to dengue.
How to treat dengue
Reported by the Surabaya Health Laboratory Center website, there is no specific treatment for the treatment of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever. However, there are several treatments that can be done, including:
1. Outpatient
Efforts to treat dengue fever can be done on an outpatient basis. During outpatient care, patients should always pay attention to the progress of the disease by observing the results of laboratory tests.
2. Administration of drugs
Take painkillers and reduce fever, namely paracetamol at a dose determined by your doctor. Avoid using pain relievers such as ibuprofen, mefenamic acid or aspirin because there is a risk of bleeding.
3. Drink plenty of water
DHF sufferers are also advised to drink plenty of water. In addition, hot tea or juice can also be given. Water adequacy in patients is characterized by urination every 4-6 hours.
3. Intensive care
Some cases of DHF require intensive hospital care because the tools and treatments are more sophisticated. Also, if it is marked by severe symptoms. During the hospitalization, the patient’s conditions such as nutritional needs, clinical symptoms and health developments will be monitored by experts.
How to prevent dengue
The most common prevention of DHF is the eradication of mosquito nests (PSN) by implementing 3M Plus, namely:
1. Drain
Clean containers of standing water, such as bathtubs, drinking water containers, refrigerator water tanks.
Hermetically sealed containers for the accumulation of stagnant water, such as tanks, torens, jugs and so on.
3. Reuse
Rather than being thrown away or left alone, used items that have the potential to become homes for mosquitoes can be put to use and recycled.
Furthermore, by plus we mean other support activities that can be carried out on a daily basis, such as:
- Use bedspreads/mosquito nets.
- Plant mosquito repellent plants, such as eucalyptus or lavender.
- Avoid dirty habits like hoarding dirty clothes or hanging clothes unevenly.
- Sow the larvicidal powder into a hard-to-clean container of water, such as a drain.
Do you know the symptoms of DHF in children and adults? Now, detikers need to be more vigilant and take the above preventative measures, yes. We hope this information is useful, detikers!
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