What should you know about Aedes and dengue?

A recent bite does not by itself indicate infection. Doctors consider local or travel exposure, the pattern of symptoms, examination findings and, when appropriate, test results.

Dengue may present with a sudden fever alongside headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea or rash. Some infections remain mild, while others develop bleeding or circulation problems requiring hospital care.

The mosquitoes responsible often bite during daylight and lay eggs around water-filled containers. A person with dengue can also be bitten by another mosquito, which may then contribute to onward transmission.

Contact a healthcare professional for fever after a plausible dengue exposure. Sip fluids regularly, rest and monitor urination, alertness, bleeding and the ability to keep drinks down.

Do not use aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen until dengue has been excluded or a clinician says they are suitable. If you can take paracetamol, follow its label and avoid combining products that contain the same ingredient. Continue mosquito precautions while unwell.

Go for urgent assessment if there is severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, gum or nose bleeding, new easy bruising, rapid breathing, restlessness, unusual sleepiness, fainting, pale cold skin or reduced urine. These features determine urgency regardless of how likely dengue seems.

Ask which diagnosis is being considered, whether the timing makes testing useful, how to judge hydration, what medicine you can take for pain, and which symptom should send you directly to emergency care. Share any bleeding disorder, pregnancy, kidney problem or anticoagulant use.