Dengue is a viral infection caused by four types of viruses. They are DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4. The viruses are transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and female mosquitoes that feed both indoors and outdoors during the daytime. These mosquitoes thrive in areas with standing water, including puddles, water tanks, containers, and old tires. Lack of reliable sanitation and regular garbage collection also contribute to the spread of the mosquitoes. In some cases, Dengue infection is asymptomatic – persons do not exhibit symptoms. Those with symptoms get ill between 4 to 7 days after the bite. The infection is characterized by flu-like symptoms which include a sudden high fever coming in separate waves, pain behind the eyes, muscle, joint, and bone pain, severe headache, and a skin rash with red spots. Treatment includes supportive care of symptoms. There is no antiviral treatment available. In human recovery from infection by one dengue viruses provides lifelong immunity against that particular viruses' serotype. However, this immunity confers only partial and transient protection against subsequent infection by the other three serotypes of the viruses.
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