Viral fever and dengue fever are both common illnesses, but they have distinct characteristics that can help in identifying them.
1. Cause:
Viral Fever: Caused by various viruses, leading to a general infection in the body.
Dengue Fever: Specifically caused by the dengue virus, transmitted through the bite of an Aedes mosquito.
2. Symptoms:
Viral Fever: Symptoms include mild to high fever, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, and sometimes a cough or runny nose. The fever usually subsides within a few days.
Dengue Fever: Dengue presents with a high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and in severe cases, bleeding gums, and low platelet count.
3. Duration:
Viral Fever: Typically lasts 3-5 days and gradually resolves on its own.
Dengue Fever: Can last longer, around 7-10 days, with a more intense and prolonged recovery period due to its severity.
4. Diagnosis:
Viral Fever: Diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history; specific viral infections may require lab tests.
Dengue Fever: Confirmed through blood tests that detect the virus or antibodies, as well as platelet count monitoring.