An estimated million people develop dengue fever per year. The dengue fever virus, mainly spread through Aedes mosquitoes, predominates in most tropical and subtropical areas. Such disease is extremely dangerous for children because more often than not, its symptoms occur to be worse for a child than for an adult. This article will address the symptoms to watch out for, why dengue fever is particularly dangerous for children, and how parents can treat their children if they get dengue. Let's get started and learn how to identify, manage, and avoid this serious condition.

 

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue Fever is a serious disease caused by Aedes mosquitoes and transmissible from human to human. One mosquito gets infected with dengue virus from feeding on an affected human being, and he or she in turn transmits the virus to other human beings when they feed on them. High fever, joint discomfort, and in more severe cases, haemorrhagic signs and shock, are characteristic symptoms. Dengue fever can easily degenerate because to date, there is no known specific treatment or dengue vaccine, and in young children whose bodies are still developing into immune systems they should.

Mode of Transmission and Dengue Virus Life Cycle

The Aedes mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water when the rainy season approaches is the time when dengue fever spreads. Mosquitoes can transfer the virus to people when they come into bites the people to feed them when they have laid the eggs in areas with any water that may be lying in the area. There are more chances of increasing the outbreaks in the regions since the conditions for reproducing the mosquitoes are amenable, especially in hygienically poor areas of tropical and subtropical. Preventing dengue should know the life cycles of Aedes mosquitoes as related to an area for kids to play.


Symptoms of Dengue Fever in Children vs. Adults

Although the general symptoms may be common to dengue fever regardless of age, the illness can significantly differ between children and adults. Adults typically have severe joint and muscle aches and high fever, while children often present nonspecific symptoms such as low-grade fever and fatigue. However, when the disease advances, more children are expected to suffer from extreme complications of dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The symptoms may be so elusive early on, that parents will need to closely watch for during the peak season of dengue fever.


Early Symptoms of Dengue Fever in Children

The disease in children can sometimes start very mildly, so most of them might only see symptoms that resemble common flu or cold. Symptoms mostly begin with sudden high fever, redness on the skin, mild muscular ache, sore throat and some nausea in a few individuals, flushed face, or loss of appetite. Normally, these early symptoms will linger for 2 to 7 days, thus putting parents in a delicate state of watching out for those worsening signs.


Advanced Symptoms in Children

At an advanced level, the disease will continue to manifest symptoms like hemorrhagic gums and epistaxis, along with small spots on the skin called petechiae, which does not fade under pressure. The child's liver enlarges, and their platelet count significantly drops. The fever may begin to decline between days 3 to 7 but doesn't mean recovery, as sometimes symptoms worsen, resulting in dengue hemorrhagic fever. The symptoms of shock can be cold limbs, weak pulse, and low blood pressure, and the child has to be hospitalized immediately.


View More: How Long Does It Take To Cure Dengue


Why Dengue Fever is More Dangerous in Children

Biological and behavioural factors together often make children a bigger risk for dengue fever.
Because their immune system has not yet fully matured children are vulnerable. They could get serious complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome soon. In addition to this, they love playing more as kids and love to play in those places where mosquitoes love the most. Parents also think it is a simple fever of their child as a result of the early signs that may miss the parents. This delay in treatment causes children to suffer from a more severe complication compared to the adults who may seek medical help sooner when they begin exhibiting symptoms.


Risks and Complications of Dengue Fever in Children

One of the dangerous complications of dengue fever in children is dengue shock syndrome. This condition happens when blood pressure is low to critically low levels.
Shock may result in the failure of many organs. This increases the risk of death. Children are also at risk of severe dehydration caused by fever and vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding is very common. Adults with dengue fever tend to develop complications from platelet loss rather than shock and, therefore, this illness is less fatal in adults.


Understanding Dengue Shock Syndrome in Children

One severe form of dengue is the dengue shock syndrome or DSS; this is distinguished by a sharp fall in blood pressure and a weak pulse. It causes shock when there is leakage of fluids from the blood vessels straight to the tissues. Unless promptly treated with medical care, DSS is fatal, especially in young children. Parents need to recognize signs of shock, which commonly appear when the fever begins to abate.


Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis is important for the effective management of dengue fever, especially in children. Blood tests will confirm the diagnosis of dengue and allow doctors to monitor the child's platelet count. Early medical treatment and frequent check-ups are crucial for the management of advanced symptoms, including dehydration and bleeding. Advanced symptoms are best managed by hospitals that have the appropriate equipment and staff to manage them, thereby avoiding delays in the treatment of children.


Parental Home Care Of Children with Dengue End

Home care for a child with dengue fever requires much diligence and proper knowledge. To bring down the fever, one must use paracetamol as advised and must not use aspirin or ibuprofen, which might increase the risk of bleeding. The child should have an adequate supply of fluids such as oral rehydration solutions, water, and fresh juices to prevent dehydration. Parents must also take extra care of the child's temperature and symptoms, which would include not giving extremely cold baths or "wind shaving," which is traditionally performed but only worsens symptoms.


What Not To Do When Treating Dengue in Children

This includes the knowledge of what should not be done in treating dengue fever among children.
Most parents administer aspirin or ibuprofen for fever reduction in a child suffering from dengue. These drugs heighten the risk of bleeding among children with dengue since they are anti-coagulant drugs. Under strict medical supervision, paracetamol is only used for fever reduction.


Traditional remedies like "wind shaving" or very cold water baths should also be discouraged in helping the child come down in fever. Such practices may not be safe and may aggravate the condition of the child. Self-medication is another error. Do not give any prescribed medicines to your child. Only proper medical care, and not home-based remedies, will help avoid complications arising from dengue.


When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Parents should know the warning signs that a case of dengue fever is severe in their child.
Red flag symptoms include abdominal pain that is severe, persistent vomiting, lethargy, mucosal bleeding, and cold extremities. A sudden drop in body temperature with fatigue or irritability may also be a red flag that the illness is moving towards dengue shock syndrome. In case a child shows any of the symptoms mentioned above, he or she should be taken to emergency medical care because these conditions can prove fatal.


The other serious symptoms include inability to take food and liquids, reduced urine output, and difficulty in breathing. If the symptoms develop serious complications such as fluid accumulation or involvement of organs, then treatment must be received in a hospital. This way, parents can ensure that their child receives the best medical attention for dengue fever treatment.


Conclusion

Dengue fever is an extremely dangerous disease, mainly among children, since they often suffer from dengue shock syndrome and acute dehydration. There is no treatment to dengue disease and thus early detection, combined with prompt medical treatment in support of care, remains the pillar of treating the patient. For a parent, knowing when to see the doctor will be what all the difference for a sick child. As dengue cases rise, especially in children, preventive measures such as cutting down exposure to mosquitoes and constant vigilance during peak times are a must.


In fact, it is just the awareness of an individual as well as collective action that can fight dengue fever. Parents can protect their children from this deadly disease by staying cautious and using preventive measures in order to make the surroundings healthier and safer.


Please book an appointment with the Best Pediatrician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.