Dengue fever is on the rise and is becoming a serious health concern. A few days ago, 246 dengue cases were reported in Delhi, while Bengaluru reported its second suspected dengue-related death. It is a mosquito-borne disease that begins within three days to two weeks of infection. The most common symptoms of dengue are high fever, body rashes, vomiting, headache, muscle and joint pain. Female mosquitoes of the Aedes species are responsible for spreading this infection. Dengue fever can be fatal if not treated on time.
Dengue fever can severely affect the brain and nervous system. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Pooja Anand, Associate Consultant, Neurology, Paras Health, Gurugram, explains how the mosquito-borne disease can have significant effects.
Also read: Dengue fever prevention: Tips to prevent mosquito breeding in and around your home
Brain and nerve problems:
Dengue can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord). These conditions can cause severe headaches, confusion, paralysis of the body, seizures and even coma.
Also Read: What is dengue?
Dengue encephalopathy:
When the brain is affected by the dengue virus or the body’s immune response, dengue encephalopathy can occur. Symptoms include changes in mental status, abnormal behavior, and unconsciousness.
nerve damage:
Dengue can lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) – an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis and potentially life-threatening breathing difficulties.
Viruses and immune response:
The dengue virus can directly infect the nervous system, causing inflammation and nerve damage. The immune response to the virus can trigger various secondary demyelinating disorders in the brain and also cause excessive inflammation, resulting in neurological symptoms.
Risk of stroke:
Dengue increases the risk of stroke caused by bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke) or a blood clot (ischemic stroke). This increased risk is because dengue affects blood vessels and the ability of blood to clot.
Dr Pooja Anand said, “Awareness about the neurological risks of dengue is vital. Preventive measures include controlling mosquitoes, using protective clothing and repellents, and eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.”
