Dengue fever is an endemic acute infectious disease in tropical and subtropical regions caused by one of five dengue virus sero- types. The viruses are transmitted by the Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Dengue infection results in varying degrees of disease, ranging from mild dengue fever through severe hemorrhagic fever, to escalation of dengue shock syndrome, which may cause death. This čase report of a 25-year-old man describes a typical course of uncomplicated dengue after return- ing from Thailand.
Cíassical symptoms such as fever, rash, muscle and joint pain, and leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were seen in the patient. The treatment consisted mainly of the administration of balanced crystalloid Solutions, reduction of fever by antipyretics and supportive therapy.
The virus was detected by laboratory determination of specific antibodies by ELISA. In the primary infection, the vast majority of cases are uncomplicated, as in the čase report above.
The next infection with another dengue virus serotype threatens to develop hemorrhagic fever and shock, when the patient is directly at risk of life.