Is your fever an outcome of dengue or a normal viral infection? Here's how you can tell

Dengue infection can have a debilitating effect on a person's body. Fever along with other symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, are the most common signs, which can be treated and managed at home. However, severe symptoms may need medical attention. Similarly, a viral fever is also concerning, may come with symptoms like severe chills and body ache, but most probably will last for three to five days.

While both dengue and a normal viral may share some signs, symptoms in common, in terms of severity, the former may be more concerning than the latter, making it all the more important to differentiate between the two.

Read more: Doctors warn dengue’s new D2 strain can lead to high-grade fever and shock syndrome; how to stay safe

As is known, a fever could be a sign of anything. A viral or a bacterial infection, a respiratory illness like the flu, common cold, COVID-19, heat exhaustion, or even something as serious as a malignant tumor. There is no telling what may have triggered your fever, unless there are other symptoms to differentiate it from the other.

Fever is a reaction of the body to a foreign particle, a virus, or anything that causes the body's temperature to rise. It is a sign that something's not right with your body and needs attention. But unless a fever goes over 100°F, it could be concerning and you must identify the source of it.

Fever is likely to be the first symptom onset for almost all the illnesses that trigger a high body temperature. Both dengue and a normal viral infection may cause the same. However, given that dengue cases have risen in the recent past and considering it has become more important to detect it in its early stage, one must be able to differentiate between a fever induced by dengue and that from a unthreatening viral disease.

While a viral fever is transmitted through the air, due to aerosol droplets from an infected person or by touching contaminated surfaces, dengue fever is an outcome of mosquito bite (Aedes Aegypti). A viral fever may last for 3-5 days, whereas a dengue can last 2–7 days, and may even extend if not treated on time.

Additionally, a viral fever is infectious and can be passed on from one person to another. Dengue on the other hand cannot be transmitted through touch and is not airborne in nature.

Read more: Dengue fever: Signs your dengue infection is turning severe

When it comes to a viral fever, they may not be as severe as that triggered by a dengue infection. While a normal viral may be accompanied with symptoms such as a runny nose, throat pain, mild body ache, weakness, dengue patients may experience a high-grade fever, severe body ache, joint pains and rashes within 24 - 48 hours following a fever onset.

The best and sure-shot way to identify a dengue-induced fever is getting yourself tested for a complete blood count test and dengue NS1 antigen test. Experts believe that about 80 - 90 percent of dengue patients will have a platelet count lower than 100,000, while 10 - 20 percent of patients will see critically low levels of 20,000 or less.

People with viral infections won't suffer from such complications. However, low blood platelet count may signify other illnesses. It is best to get yourself tested for the same.

Read more: Flu and dengue cases on the rise amidst COVID-19: Sure shot ways to keep yourself safe from dengue, malaria and chikungunya

Latest reports suggest that dengue infections are on the rise in many states in India, including in states like Kerala, Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. Considering that the monsoons and the seasonal changes have done their share of damage, this year, the numbers associated with mosquito-borne illnesses have surged considerably.

As per health officials, the DENV-2, or the strain D2 of the four serotypes of dengue virus, is what is causing the sudden rise in the number of cases and also leading to severity. In addition to being more virulent, experts believe that the new strain can cause high grade fever, vomiting, joint pains, altered sensorium and may even lead to serious complications resulting in dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.

Since the quest to develop a safe and effective dengue vaccine is still underway and is ongoing, adhering to precautionary measures and sticking to preventive protocols is the best way to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. Apart from practicing good hygiene, one must remember to clean and disinfect standing water sources and avoid water stagnation. Wear full length clothes and make use of mosquito repellants when needed.