Classic dengue fever: symptoms and care

Dengue is a viral infection spread by infected mosquitoes. The illness may begin with a high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches, joint pain, chills, nausea or a rash. Some people bruise or bleed more easily. Symptoms can change as the fever settles, so improvement in temperature does not always mean the illness has fully passed. A clinical assessment may be needed to interpret the pattern and decide whether blood tests or monitoring are appropriate.

Rest, take frequent fluids if you can drink safely, and monitor your symptoms. Use only fever or pain medicine recommended by a clinician or pharmacist; avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines unless specifically advised because they may increase bleeding risk. Reduce mosquito exposure with screens, long clothing and repellent while unwell, so mosquitoes are less likely to spread the virus to others. Arrange a GP consultation if dengue is possible or fever continues.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, marked drowsiness, confusion, breathing difficulty, cold clammy skin or inability to drink. Also seek prompt advice if bruising is increasing, urine output falls, or the person is pregnant, very young, older or has a long-term illness. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe before asking for help.

Could dengue explain this fever pattern? Do I need testing or repeat monitoring? Which pain medicines are suitable? What warning signs should my family watch for?