Dengue virus

Definitions & Key takeaways

Dengue virus is a single-stranded RNA virus known to cause dengue fever. Dengue virus is transmitted by a mosquito, especially a species known as Aedes aegypti. Symptoms of dengue fever include fever, headache, muscle pain, and rash. In some cases, the infection can progress to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF), a life-threatening condition. There is no specific treatment for Dengue Fever or DHF, and patients are typically given supportive care. Prevention of the disease is through vaccination and avoidance of mosquitoes.