Dengue virus can negatively affect your brain and nervous system causing severe complications. It all starts with the dengue virus entering your bloodstream and spreading throughout the body.
Dengue is a vector borne disease that occurs when an individual gets bitten by an infectious mosquito, especially the Aedes aegypti mosquito. These female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bite humans to obtain protein which is crucial for egg development, and in this process, they might easily transmit this virus. These mosquitos are mostly active after sunrise and a few hours before sunset. However, these mosquitoes can even bite at night. They use natural habitats and places like tree holes and plants, flower pots, algae, water tanks, tires, and containers to lay their eggs.
The life span of these Aedes aegypti mosquitoes is not more than three weeks. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are primary suspects in causing viral diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika virus, and yellow fever virus. One can experience symptoms like pain in the abdomen area, fever that initially starts as mild and worsens over time, red spots on the skin that make it more sensitive, severe headache, episodes of vomiting, high fever, nausea, fatigue, and swollen glands.
How Dengue Fever Affect Your Brain And Nervous System?
Dr Harish Chafle, Senior Consultant Intensivist Chest Physician, Bronchoscopists and sleep disorders specialist, Gleneagles Hospital Parel spoke to India.com and shared, “Dengue virus can negatively affect your brain and nervous system causing severe complications. It all starts with the dengue virus entering your bloodstream and spreading throughout the body. The virus affects the cells of the immune system, specifically in the lymph nodes. The immune system releases several cytokines, a type of proteins to actively fight the dengue virus. This sudden response from the immune system can aggravate symptoms like inflammation, swellings, irritation, and damage to various tissues in the brain.”
He further added, “Dengue fever weakens the blood-brain barrier, which is a type of protective layer that refrains harmful substances or viruses from entering the brain. This virus can significantly infect the neurons (brain cells) directly causing severe damage and hindrance in brain function. Dengue can lead to life-threatening complications such as encephalitis (inflammation in the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), and myelitis (inflammation in the spinal cord).”
Tips to Minimise The Risk of Dengue
• Call the Municipal Corporation or authorities when you notice an increase in mosquitoes around your neighbourhood.
• Immediately through away the recyclable containers or boxes which can create a perfect atmosphere for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to breed.
• Apply mosquito repellents with ingredients like DEET, picaridin, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil for better protection from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes while stepping outdoors.
• Keep the doors and windows shut to stop these mosquitoes from entering your household and potentially infecting your loved ones.
Get in touch with your Physician as early as possible if u have any symptoms suggestive of Dengue. As if it is a serious from of Dengue early detection and treatment can prevent its fatal complications