CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH DENGUE FEVER: REPORT OF 48 PATIENTS IN 2010

Authors

  • Atiya Mahboob
  • Zafar Iqbal
  • Rabil Javed
  • Azeem Taj
  • Asma Munir
  • Munir Akhtar Saleemi

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever is a mosquito born viral disease. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areasof the world. Symptoms appear 3−14 days after the infective bite. Mortality can occur in denguehemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome unless prompt and adequate management is provided.Objective: To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics along with outcome ofpatients with dengue fever (DF) dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS).Design: Prospective, follow-up study. Place and duration of study: Department of Medicine, ShaikhZayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore from 3rd Oct 2010 to 20th Nov 2010. Patientsand Methods: Specific serological tests for dengue fever were done in all 60 patients admitted withsuspected diagnosis of DF, DHF and DSS. Forty-eight confirmed cases were evaluated for age, gender,clinical features and outcome of the disease. Results: Forty-eight out of 60 patients had positiveserology for dengue fever. Male to female ratio was 1.09:1. Their ages ranged from 5 years to 68 yearswith the mean of 31.5±15.2 years. DF, DHF and DSS were found in 71%, 19% and 10% casesrespectively. Common presentations were fever (100%), skin rash (83.33%), myalgia (69.75%),restlessness (66.67%) and rigors and chills (66.67%). All, except one patient improved clinically. Onepatient died on second day of admission. Conclusion: Dengue fever, a viral infection is re-emerging asa serious public health problem. Fever, rash, myalgia with rigors and chills were common presentingfeatures.Keywords: Dengue fever, Dengue hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome, skin rash, epidemic

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Published

2010-12-01

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