Dengue and covid-19: Similarities and differences

ABSTRACT

Dengue and COVID-19 are two diseases that threaten many populations in the region of the Americas and which co-exist in Cuba. They both have similarities and differences which force doctors in charge to do a differential diagnosis among both diseases because each can be a cause of death. The objective of this work is contributing to the correct diagnosis of each patient and their better care. There was a review of the current concepts on etiology and pathogenesis of both diseases, as well as their clinical profile, care and prevention. Dengue as COVID-19 has a fever period and a critical one, both are systemic infections and their initial symptoms can be similar and might not be the same of the subsequent typical clinical picture, particularly in pediatric ages. Dengue defines its evolution in one week and the disease caused by the new coronavirus needs at least three weeks for its recovery or fatal evolution. Each similarity and difference among each disease was analyzed taking into account the most updated national and international criteria higlighting the best way to treat each patient avoiding complications and deads. © 2020, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.