Dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever in adolescents and adults.
Dengue fever (DF) is endemic in tropical and subtropical zones and the prevalence is increasing across South-east Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific and the Americas. In recent years, the spread of unplanned urbanisation, with associated substandard housing, overcrowding and deterioration  in water, sewage and waste management systems, has created ideal conditions for increased transmission of the dengue virus in tropical urban centres. While dengue infection has traditionally been considered a paediatric disease, the age distribution of dengue has been rising and more cases  have been observed in adolescents and adults. Furthermore, the development of tourism in the tropics has led to an increase in the number of tourists who become infected, most of whom are adults. Symptoms and risk factors for dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and severe dengue differ between  children and adults, with co-morbidities and incidence in more elderly patients associated with greater risk of mortality. Treatment options for DF and DHF in adults, as for children, centre round fluid replacement (either orally or intravenously, depending on severity) and antipyretics. Further  data are needed on the optimal treatment of adult patients.
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. terapong_tantawichien@hotmail.com
Terapong
T
Tantawichien
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014195:Travel; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014505:Urban Population; D014507:Urbanization
D058633:Antipyretics