Ajay Hotchandani
Address: Mercy Clinic-NHI, 1955 Mercy Lane, Belize City, Belize
Email: mercyclinicmd@gmail.com
Keywords: dengue, geriatric, asymptomatic, loss of appetite, anorexia
Abstract:
In dengue endemic regions, a chief complaint of nocturnal fever often is a pathonomonic phrase that triggers an investigation for dengue. This article looks at cases of patients who were tested for dengue based on their symptoms of weakness and loss of appetite, without fever as fever was absent in most cases. The article also examines the changes in weight that occur after diagnosis of dengue and compares it to weight loss (if any), that occurred prior to the diagnosis. Dealing with the anorexia and weight loss is challenging for physicians, patients and family members.
Keywords: dengue, geriatric, appetite, anorexia, weakness, absent fever
Introduction:
Dengue is caused by the Dengue Virus (den1-4), which is a Flavivirus (RNA), spread via the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is prevalent in the tropical climate countries, as the environment is ideal for breeding mosquitoes. Approximately 100 million people are affected by dengue yearly, making it the leading cause of illness and death worldwide [1]. Its effects range from asymptomatic to death due to fulminant shock and hemorrhage.
Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, retroorbital pain, and back pain, along with severe myalgia giving rise to the colloquial designation “Break-bone fever”. Additional symptoms include anorexia, nausea or vomiting, marked cutaneous hypersensitivity and a macular rash, starting at the trunk and spreading to the extremities of the face [2]. Fever being the prevalent symptom, dengue is also often referred to as Dengue Fever. In a review of dengue on the following websites - CDC.gov, medicinenet.com, webmd.com, medlineplus.com and Wikipedia.com – anorexia is not listed as a
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