How is dengue treated

Dengue is cause by a virus, and no specific medications are available to combat it. Milder dengue symptoms typically last two to seven days, Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The symptoms are managed supportively: plenty of fluids, over-the-counter pain medications, and rest.

Severe dengue usually requires treatment in a hospital with intravenous (IV) fluids. Patients are monitored until their fever breaks and symptoms begin to wane. This usually happens in about three to five days. Recovery at home can last many more days before a person’s strength returns.

“While there are reports of people dying from severe dengue fever, deaths from dengue cases in the US are rare,” says Dr. Ryan.

How does dengue spread?

The viruses that cause dengue do not directly spread from person to person. Aedes species mosquitoes can become infected with the dengue virus when they bite a person who has the virus. Infected mosquitoes then spread the virus to other people.

US visitors to high-risk countries may unknowingly bring the virus home with them, giving dengue infection a chance to spread further. For example, an infected person will have dengue virus circulating in their bloodstream for up to one week after being bitten. Let’s say the person returns to the US sooner than seven days, where they get bitten by a mosquito. That mosquito in the US now carries the virus and could bite someone else, thereby spreading the infection.

Where is dengue occurring in the US?

Most dengue transmission in the United States happens in areas where this illness is already common, such as Puerto Rico, American Samoa, เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา and the US Virgin Islands.

Which declared a public health emergency in March, had report almost 1,500 cases by late June 2024.) While US cases are higher than in previous years, they are still low compared to the global incidence of dengue. Which hit a record 9.7 million cases in North, Central, and South America during the first six months of 2024.

It’s not clear what has caused the sudden rise in dengue cases. Dr. Ryan says it could be due to several factors, such as higher seasonal travel, more people living closer together in urban settings, and the fact that there are more mosquitoes are carrying dengue.

Is there a dengue vaccine?

Currently, there is no widely available dengue vaccine for US travelers. One FDA-approved vaccine, Dengvaxia, protects children ages 9 to 16 from all four types of dengue. It is used only for children who have had a previous infection and who live in areas where dengue is common. However, the vaccine will be discontinued in September 2025, with the final doses expiring in September 2026.

What steps can you take to prevent dengue?

The best way to prevent dengue. When visiting high-risk areas and after returning home is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Here are some tips from the CDC:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET; picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the United States); IR3535; oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or 2-undecanone (plant-derived ingredients); or para-menthane-diol (PMD).
• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin (an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes).
• Place screens on windows and doors.