Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome 

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DHF (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever)

DSS (Dengue Shock Syndrome)

DHF is the lesser case of the two most severe forms of Dengue Fever. Patients with DHF require medical treatment. If this is not available, they are in extreme danger of death.

When a patient receives DHF, the symptoms include:

- A sudden high fever for 2-7 days.

- "Leaky" capillaries that allow fluids to escape from the blood vessels, causing bleeding of the gums and nose, and potentially, leading to internal bleeding. 

- Decreased platelet count. This is the central cause of symptoms. Platelets play a vital role in the blood-clotting mechanism, and its prevention can lead to heamorrhaging.

The average time-frame of DHF is 7-10 days. If DHF is not treated as soon as possible, chances of developing DSS (Dengue Shock Syndrome) increase dramatically.

If patients have severe cases of DHF, typical augmented flu-like symptoms are followed by a sudden deterioration of the patients condition. In this case, the patient would generally initially become sluggish and afterwards, restless. Circulatory failure then proceeds.
("All about Dengue")

DSS is the one of the two most severe cases of Dengue Fever. It stands for Dengue Shock Syndrome, and patients who have this can die. Patients receive DSS if, when they experience the DHF stage, they do not receive adequate medical attention. If one develops DSS, they are in immediate need of medical attention as mortality rate increases in correlation to degree of DSS. 

DSS is thought to be the most critical form of Dengue Heamorrhagic Fever. If a patient reaches this state, their vital organs, including those of the circulatory system, will go into a shock-like stage, and failure will ensue. When the patient is faced with circulatory failure, the symptoms are:

- Low blood pressure

- Rapid and weak pulse

- Acute abdominal

- Cold and clammy skin

- Restlessness

Often, signs of bleeding are seen during this stage. This includes bleeding from the nose, gums, gastrointestinal tract and may experience heavy menstruation. Mostly, the patients will suffer from acute abdominal pain before the shock develops.
("All about Dengue)