Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
Severe, potentially fatal infection that occurs when someone with
immunity to one type of Dengue virus is infected by a different type.
It is spread by certain mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) that bite primarily
during the day.
Worldwide, more than 100 million cases of dengue fever occur every
year. A small percent of these develop into Dengue hemorrhagic
fever. Most cases in the U.S. are brought in from other countries.
Risk factors for Dengue hemorrhagic fever include having antibodies
to dengue virus from prior infection and being younger than 12,
female, or Caucasian.