Experts say that in dengue fever, the patient complains of body pain, while viral fever usually comes with cold, cough, runny nose. It is easy to find out the difference between viral and dengue fever at home.
Dengue fever is caused by mosquito bite. Within one or two days you see the symptoms of this fever. As the fever occurs, we can notice that first the eyes start turning red. Eventually, there is a lack of blood in the body. In such a situation, weakness and dizziness can also occur in the body.
It is believed that dengue mosquito usually bites during the day. However, we must avoid being bitten by mosquitoes any time of the day.
If a person with fever complains of body pain, then s/he must immediately see the doctor. In such a condition, he may have dengue fever. It is advised that to check blood platelets also. Platelets fall rapidly in dengue fever. This is an important difference between viral and dengue fever.
In dengue fever, we need to seek medical intervention before platelets fall. Whereas, viral fever can go away after three-four days of home remedies.
It is important to watch that common fever or viral fever does not translate to any complications. If fever does not come down in about four days, consult a doctor. There are chances it can turn into brain fever.
Similarly, with dengue fever a lot of weakness starts coming. Do not be negligent and consult a doctor as soon as possible. Read on to find out the difference between viral and dengue fever below.
Viral fever in kids, Symptoms (Difference between viral and dengue fever):
- painful tonsils
- running nose
- nasal congestion
- chest congestion
- sore throat
- you get fever (which occassionally rises and falls)
- fatigue
- dizziness
- weakness
- chills
- headache
- muscle, body and joint pains
- inflammation of the pharynx
- burning sensation in eyes
- cough
- skin rashes
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- vomiting
We usually tend to self-medicate at home, sometimes even by taking antibiotics, when we have an intermittent high fever with chills, which is a bad idea. And here’s some news for your – antibiotics cannot kill viruses. They kill harmful bacteria. Antibiotics, if taken unnecessarily can affect your stomach lining, kill the good gut bacteria, cause acidity and damage your liver and kidneys.
If you come down with fever, which is less than 103 F and it shows no signs of abating, in that case, consult your family doctor or visit a general practitioner.
Dengue fever symptoms – checklist – (Difference between viral and dengue fever)
- This is caused by Dengue Virus
- Dengue virus is spread to people through the bite of infected Aedes species mosquitoes
- High fever, headache, muscle, and joint pain – are initial symptoms
- It is an infectious disease.
- Incubation period for dengue is – 3-14 days after exposure
- Complications of dengue fever can lead to bleeding, low level of blood platelets, dangerously low blood pressure
- Preventive measures are – Dengue Fever vaccine, decreasing mosquito exposure
- Other names of Dengue Fever – Break-bone fever
- There are simple ways to increase blood platelets at home.
Viral fever checklist
- It is caused by Influenza Virus
- Fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, fatigue – are primary viral fever symptoms in kids
- Flu is spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu sneeze, cough, or talk
- Influenza virus is also of four types i.e. A, B, C, and D
- It is an infectious disease.
- Incubation Period 1-4 days after exposure
- Complications Pneumonia, inflammation of the heart, brain, and multi-organ failure
- Preventive measures Hand washing, Flu vaccines
- Other names Seasonal fever, Flu, Grippe, change of weather fever
What is viral fever?
The fever is just a symptom of viral infection. Any part of the body can get affected by viral infection – lungs, air passages, intestines, ear etc. When the infection spreads, we get fever. Therefore, viral infection is actually the underlying cause.
Viral infections that lead to viral fever is characterized by high fever, burning in the eyes, headaches, body aches and sometimes nausea and vomiting. These are the viral fever symptoms in kids.
Once the body is attacked by viral infection, the immune system of your body fights the virus. In this process it burns them off. As an alert from our body’s immune system, we get an alert, which we call fever.
Viral fever is common among children and older people as their immunity is lower.
How does viral fever occur?
When the virus infected person yawns, sneezes, coughs, or even talks, tiny sprays of fluids come out from mouth and nose. These fluids when suspended in air may enter our system if we are close to the infected person. Once the virus enters our system, it turns into an infection with fever within 16 hours to 48 hours you can see viral fever symptoms in kids. .
Viral fever is transmitted from one person to another through contact with the infected person’s bodily fluids. But dengue fever is transmitted through the saliva of infected mosquito. This is the difference between viral and dengue fever. To further know the difference between viral and dengue fever, read here.
You may suddenly experience high fever, chills, headaches, body pain, and tremendous weakness.
Sometimes, it can take up to 21 days for some strains of viral fever to develop after the initial exposure to the virus.
Some particular viral fever strains can also enter into the human body when one inhales near infected rat faeces or urine.
Who is prone to viral fever?
- You could be at risk of getting infected with viral fever if:
- Babies, small children and elderly people are also quite prone to viral fever since their immunity is low.
- you are close to an infected person
- you travel to an area where a particular viral fever is prevalent
- you live in an area where particular strains of viral fevers are doing the rounds
- you are working with sick people
- you share needles for intravenous drugs
- you are near infected animals or are slaughtering them
- your building is infested with rats
Follow the dos and don’t of dengue. Know here.