Dengue infection with warning signs: The 2019 epidemic

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Dengue is a widespread arthropod-borne viral illness.
• It presents with diverse clinical symptoms, disease progression, and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with dengue during a 2019 epidemic.
• To focus on patients exhibiting warning signs.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study was conducted.
• Data collected from 1349 dengue patients, including 459 with warning signs.

Main Results:

• The disease predominantly affected younger individuals.
• Females showed a higher incidence of low platelet counts (<20,000/mm³).
• Severe bleeding occurred universally at platelet counts below 10,000/mm³; hepatic involvement was common, while myocarditis, encephalitis, and pancreatitis were rare. Case fatality rates were 0.4% for dengue and 1.3% for dengue with warning signs.

Conclusions:

• Dengue epidemics strain healthcare systems.
• A protocolized approach with supportive care and timely platelet transfusions (especially below 10,000/mm³) is crucial.
• Mortality can be reduced to <0.5% with meticulous care.