DENGUE FEVER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 March 1926, Page 5

DENGUE FEVER.

* HOW IT COMES. In the northern parts of Queensland outbreaks of dengue fever are [periodical _ Occasionally it descends on Brisbane and on the northern rivers districts of New South Wales. It is almost unique that it should now prevail in towns so far south. It is even possible that- under the humid weather conditions which have h'ad Sydney in their grip that city may get to know it. Should it break out there, medical men believe that it wit l ! sweep through the community rapidly, and that few will escape it. There is no specific remedy. Lhe doctor treats the paramount ill which, the patient feels. It may be a headache. Again, it may be aobes in the joints. The dengue germ has not /been isolated. Medical .men believe that it is probably ultramiscoscopic. It is definitely "known, however, that the disease is transmitted by the mosquito. The attack comes on suddenly with headache, chilliness, and intense .aching .pains in joints and muscles, giving rise to the name “break-hone” fever. It reaches its maximum in three or four days, and when this passes off _ the patient is left prostrated and stiff for n few days. ' --, A serious paroxysm of fever then occurs, with a return of the pains. The convalescent period generally takes a long time, and the mental and physical prostration is out of .all proportion to* the severity of the disease, itself. Complications are rare. Within 10 days to two weeks the disease should have fuV.y spent itself.