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Dengue hemorrhagic fever    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Hemorrhagic dengue; Dengue shock syndrome; Philippine hemorrhagic fever; Thai hemorrhagic fever; Singapore hemorrhagic fever

Definition:

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, potentially fatal infection which occurs when someone with immunity to one type of Dengue virus is infected by another, different type.It is spread by certain mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) that bite primarily during the day. See also Dengue fever.

Causes and Risks

Four different dengue viruses have been implicated in both Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dengue hemorrhagic fever occurs when the patient contracts a different dengue virus after previous infection(s) by another type. Prior immunity to a different Dengue virus type is important in the production of this severe disease.

Worldwide, over 100 million cases of dengue fever occur every year. A small percent develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever. Most cases in the United states are brought in from other countries. It is possible to pass the infection from a traveler in the United States to someone who has not traveled.

Risk factors for Dengue hemorrhagic fever include having antibodies to dengue virus from prior infection, age less than 12 years old, being female, being Caucasian, and good nutrition.

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