It primarily occurs in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and rash. Younger children tend to have a milder illness than older children and adults. Symptoms may last as many as 10 days, but complete recovery can take two to four weeks. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for dengue fever.
Treatment consists of rest, fluids and fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen.
Aspirin should not be used. But they can be life-threatening. Santa Maria said the disease took a month or so to spread as far as it has. It will be a few days before we have a better picture.