From the Research
Headaches in dengue fever are primarily caused by a combination of inflammatory processes and vascular changes, triggered by the release of inflammatory cytokines and temporary disruption of the blood-brain barrier, as supported by recent studies such as 1. The mechanism responsible for headache in dengue fever involves the activation of pain pathways by inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6, which are released when the dengue virus infects the body. Some key points to consider include:
- The virus causes temporary disruption of the blood-brain barrier, leading to cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure, as discussed in 2.
- Vascular changes, including vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, contribute to the throbbing pain, as noted in 2.
- Dehydration from fever and decreased oral intake worsens headaches by reducing cerebral blood flow.
- Systemic effects like thrombocytopenia and mild hemorrhagic tendencies can further compromise cerebral circulation, as mentioned in 3.
- The headaches typically present as severe, persistent, and often frontal or retro-orbital pain that worsens with eye movement, a characteristic feature of dengue fever, as described in 4. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms with acetaminophen (paracetamol) for pain relief while avoiding NSAIDs due to bleeding risk, along with ensuring adequate hydration, as suggested by the lack of alternative treatments in 5 and the emphasis on symptom management in 1.