Antibiotics for dengue: what you need to know

Taking an antibiotic without a confirmed bacterial infection can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance. A clinician may prescribe one only if a separate bacterial infection is suspected or diagnosed.

Care focuses on monitoring, rest and maintaining fluids. Fever, nausea and poor appetite can make dehydration more likely. Paracetamol may be appropriate for fever or discomfort when used as directed, but aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen are generally avoided because dengue can increase bleeding risk.

A blood test and clinical assessment may be needed because early dengue symptoms can resemble other infections. An antibiotic should not be started from a previous prescription or shared with another person.

Drink frequent small amounts of water or oral rehydration fluid, especially if nausea makes larger drinks difficult. Rest, track urine output and follow the clinician's plan for repeat assessment or blood tests. Prevent mosquito bites during the illness by using repellent, wearing covering clothing and staying behind screened windows or under a mosquito net.

If an antibiotic was prescribed for another diagnosed infection, take it exactly as directed and report rash, facial swelling, breathing difficulty or severe diarrhoea promptly.

Seek urgent medical care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, marked drowsiness, restlessness, pale or cold skin, breathing difficulty, fainting, or much less urine. Warning signs can emerge as the fever begins to settle, so improvement in temperature alone does not rule out deterioration.

Ask which fluids and pain medicines are suitable, whether repeat blood tests are needed, what changes should trigger immediate reassessment, and whether any prescribed antibiotic is treating a separate bacterial infection.