What is the Difference Between Dengue and Viral Fever?

Dengue and viral fever are both caused by different viruses and share some similar symptoms, but there are key differences between the two. Here are the main distinctions:

1. Cause: Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. Viral fever, on the other hand, can be caused by various viruses, such as the flu virus.
2. Platelet count: Dengue fever affects the immune system by reducing the number of platelets, which are an important part of the human body's immune system. In viral fever, the platelet count is not affected.
3. Symptoms: While both dengue and viral fever share symptoms like sudden high fever, muscle pain, and fatigue, dengue fever has additional symptoms that can appear when the fever subsides. These include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, and manifestations of abnormal bleeding, such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, petechiae under the skin, irregular menstrual periods, vomiting blood, and passing black or bloody stools.
4. Duration: Viral fever typically lasts for 3-5 days, while dengue fever can last from 2-7 days, and may even extend if not treated on time.
5. Progression: With viral fever, when the fever subsides, the symptoms of the disease are usually relieved. In contrast, dengue fever enters a stage of dangerous complications when the fever subsides, so it is important to monitor patients closely for early detection and treatment.
6. Hemorrhagic symptoms: Dengue fever can present hemorrhagic symptoms in its full-blown stage, while viral fever does not have such symptoms. The appearance of a rash in viral fever and subcutaneous hemorrhage in dengue is one way to distinguish between the two.

In summary, while dengue and viral fever share some similarities, they differ in their cause, platelet count, duration, progression, and certain symptoms. Dengue fever has a more significant impact on the immune system, with a longer duration and potentially more dangerous complications.

Comparative Table: Dengue vs Viral Fever

Here is a table comparing the differences between dengue and viral fever:

Note that dengue fever is one type of viral fever, which is caused by a flavivirus and transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.