Dengue infection during pregnancy poses haemorrhage risk in mother, infant.

MULTAN -- Dengue infection during pregnancy poses a risk of haemorrhage in mother and infant, if it develops near term, said Nishtar Medical Unversity (NMU) Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr Imran Rafiq.

He told reporter on Wednesday that severe dengue could cause obstetric complication, cesarean delivery, popularly known as C-Section, fetal distress (a sign that baby is not well) and maternal morbidity.

He informed that medical research showed incubation period of dengue fever was 7-10 days, with sudden onset of high fever, severe pain in muscles and joints, headache, and pain in eyes.

The severity of the disease was defined by presence of plasma leakage, haemorrhage or organ involvement. Some patients could face gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding from stomach or intestine) and nose bleeding, he added.

Patients with controlled 'Type 2' diabetes could develop severe dengue, he said adding that in such type of scenario complete blood count showed Hematocrit drop (heart muscles become thick and inflamed).

Some patients could develop pleural effusion, an abnormal collection of fluid between the thin layers of tissue lining the lung and wall of chest cavity, and abnormal build up of fluids in abdomen (Ascites), he explained.

Some patients may suffer from hepatitis, encephalitis and myocarditis, and If any patient developed acute kidney injury in dengue fever, it usually showed high mortality, the SMO maintained.

Dr Rafiq stated that Dengue virus belonged to the genus Flaviviridae and had four distinct serotypes...