Serositis as a Presenting Feature of Dengue Fever in a Young Female: Forecast of Upcoming Dengue Shock Syndrome

Abstract

Dengue fever is a prominent challenge in the developing countries throughout the world, with dengue shock syndrome as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during the seasonal dengue epidemics. Most common presenting features of dengue fever are high grade fever with chills, headache, rash, nausea and vomiting. With the increasing challenges of treating dengue shock syndrome to prevent mortality in the young, it is important to determine factors which can be used to predict dengue shock syndrome. This report showcases a case of 20-year-old young female who presented with the chief complaint of pedal oedema, pain in abdomen along with breathlessness. Upon investigations it was found to be a of dengue fever with pleural effusion and ascites. The patient later developed dengue shock syndrome, which was managed successfully with the help of intravenous fluids, inotropic support and platelet transfusion. Hence, this case report highlights the importance of detection of serositis in the form of ascites, pleural effusion and pedal oedema in dengue fever as a tell-tale sign of upcoming dengue shock syndrome and the pathophysiology behind it.