Simultaneous epidemics of dengue and COVID-19 in Brazil: clinical-epidemiological considerations

Abstract

Analytical study based on literary discussions and epidemiological data, in the historical series from 2016 to 2020 for dengue and from 2020 to 2021 for COVID-19 in Brazil. It will be discussed the clinical and epidemiological consequences felt by health care in the face of the epidemic coexistence of both, in addition to underreporting. In the case of dengue, an arbovirus of the Flavirae family, its clinical features are an acute febrile condition and risk of death in its most severe manifestation. Similarly, the coronavirus clinically manifests itself with fever, non-productive cough, sore throat, general malaise, headache, myalgia and, as a worse prognosis, also death. When they share the same epidemiological scenario, such diseases make it difficult to differentiate the diagnosis, as they both have a viral cause, start with fever and do not respect age or gender. In view of viral cocirculation and possible co-infection, it is essential to understand the clinical and the laboratory between the two pathologies. Furthermore, with the start of the fight against COVID-19, both dengue and other diseases have become secondary and underreported concerns in the pandemic situation. Thus, through this, we aim to reinforce the need for readaptation of the health system in the face of the simultaneous occurrence of dengue and COVID-19 epidemics.