It is a disease caused by the Dengue virus that is spread by mosquito bites. It usually presents in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly during the rainy season.
Most patients infected for the first time do not present symptoms. When it does manifest, it typically does so in the form of a viral infection with fever, headache and joint and muscle pain throughout the body.
Diagnosis is achieved by means of clinical questioning, physical examination and blood tests.
There is no specific treatment for this disease. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided, as they may make bleeding worse. More severe forms of the disease require hospital admission in order to receive intravenous treatment and strict monitoring of the course of the disease.
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