Short report

Dengue Fever (DF) in Pakistan

Fridous Jahan

• Correspondence: Fridous Jahan firdous.jahan@aku.edu

Author Affiliations

Family Medicine Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road PO Box 3500, Postal Code 74800, Karachi, Pakistan

Asia Pacific Family Medicine 2011, 10:1 doi:10.1186/1447-056X-10-1

Published: 24 February 2011

Abstract

Dengue is a widespread mosquito-borne infection in human beings, which in recent years has become a major international public health concern. Symptomatic dengue virus infections can present with a wide range of clinical manifestations, from a mild febrile illness to a life-threatening shock syndrome. Both viral and host factors are thought to contribute to the manifestations of disease in each infected. It is important to understand its burden on health care, morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and suspicion of DF in primary care might reduce the complications if handled properly. We must understand the depth of the problem in terms of its transmission, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management and prevention.