What is Dengue?

About Dengue:

 

• It is caused by the dengue virus (DENV).
• It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
• The severe form of dengue fever, also called dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause serious bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure (shock) and death.
• It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.
• Symptoms: The most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash.
• Most will also get better in 1–2 weeks but in severe cases it can be fatal.  
• Treatment:
  • There is no specific treatment for dengue.
  • Early detection of disease progression associated with severe dengue, and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1%.
  • The dengue vaccine CYD-TDV or Dengvaxia was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration in 2019, the first dengue vaccine to get the regulatory nod in the US.

 

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Q1) What is a virus?

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that consists of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) encased in a protein coat called a capsid. Some viruses also have an outer envelope made of lipids. Viruses are unique in that they cannot replicate or carry out their life cycle independently; they require a host cell to reproduce and multiply.

Source: Delhi’s dengue cases reach 5-year high in July: Govt issues advisory. Details here