‘It Could Be a Health Threat’: Officials Warn About Dengue, Sloth Fever in Orange County

What You Need to Know

* Orange County health officials have issued a warning about dengue and sloth fever. * Both diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes. * Symptoms of dengue include fever, headache, body aches, and nausea. * Symptoms of sloth fever include fever, chills, and muscle pain. * There is no specific treatment for either disease, but symptoms can be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Symptoms typically develop 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and can include: * Fever * Headache * Body aches * Nausea * Vomiting * Rash In severe cases, dengue fever can lead to complications such as bleeding, organ failure, and death. There is no specific treatment for dengue fever, but symptoms can be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.

What is Sloth Fever?

Sloth fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that is caused by the same virus that causes dengue fever. Symptoms of sloth fever are similar to those of dengue fever, but they are typically milder. Symptoms of sloth fever include: * Fever * Chills * Muscle pain * Headache * Nausea * Vomiting Sloth fever is usually not a serious illness, but it can be uncomfortable. There is no specific treatment for sloth fever, but symptoms can be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.

How to Prevent Dengue and Sloth Fever

The best way to prevent dengue and sloth fever is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. You can do this by: * Wearing long sleeves and pants when you are outdoors * Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 * Staying in air-conditioned or screened-in areas * Eliminating standing water around your home, where mosquitoes can breed If you do get bitten by a mosquito, watch for symptoms of dengue or sloth fever and see your doctor if you develop any symptoms.