Dengue is the fastest spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, affecting more than 100 million humans annually. The disease is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and is caused by one of four dengue viruses

It is well known as break bone fever due to the severity of fever associated with muscle spasms and joint pain and the usual duration of symptoms. The incidence rate of dengue has increased dramatically over the past few decades. Although most of the cases are asymptomatic, severe illness and death may also occur.

The three phases of dengue include febrile, critical, and recovery.



During the febrile stage, a sudden onset of high-grade fever of approximately 40℃ occurs that usually lasts two to seven days. Associated symptoms include facial flushing, skin erythema (red rashes), myalgia (muscle aches), arthralgia (joint pain), headache, sore throat, conjunctival injection, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.

Defervescence (the subsidence of a fever) characterizes the critical phase with a temperature of approximately 37.5℃to 38℃ or less on days three through seven. This stage is associated with increased capillary permeability and usually lasts one to two days. It can progress to shock, organ dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulation (a condition affecting the blood's ability to clot and stop bleeding.) or hemorrhage.

The recovery phase entails the gradual reabsorption of extravascular fluid in two to three days.