What should you know about blood vomit in dengue?

Dengue can affect blood vessels and the body’s ability to control bleeding. Blood may appear bright red, dark, or like coffee grounds. Vomiting blood can occur alongside fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, chills, or easy bruising, but it should not be explained away as part of an ordinary viral illness. A person may become dehydrated or develop signs of blood loss, especially when vomiting continues. The amount seen does not reliably show how serious the underlying problem is.

Go to an emergency department or contact emergency services immediately. Keep the person resting on their side if drowsy or still vomiting, and take a list of medicines and any dengue test results. Do not give aspirin or ibuprofen unless a clinician specifically tells you to; these medicines can increase bleeding risk. Small sips may be appropriate only if the person is fully alert and able to swallow, but do not delay care to give fluids or food.

Treat faintness, cold or clammy skin, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, unusual sleepiness, confusion, breathing difficulty, bleeding from the nose or gums, or very little urine as emergencies. Dengue warning signs can become more noticeable as fever settles, so a lower temperature does not make blood in vomit safe to monitor at home.

Ask which warning signs to watch for, which pain medicines are safe, how hydration will be assessed, and when blood tests should be repeated. Tell the clinician when the fever began and describe the vomit’s colour and amount.