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Dengue
Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily in tropical and subtropical countries. Dengue infection rarely occurs in the continental United States but it is a leading cause of illness and death in warmer climates. As many as 100 million people are infected yearly.
The main symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash and mild bleeding (bleeding of nose or gums, easy bruising). Dengue can develop into a more severe illness if not treated.
The best protection against dengue is to avoid mosquito bites, as there are not yet any vaccines to prevent infection with the virus. Early recognition of infection and prompt treatment can greatly lower the risk of developing severe disease.
