What should you know about dengue alert?

Dengue fever may cause fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and joint pain. Easy bruising or other bleeding can also occur. These symptoms can resemble other illnesses, so a clinical assessment is needed when dengue is suspected.

Warning signs include severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, unusual sleepiness, restlessness, breathing difficulty, faintness, cold skin or very little urine.

Arrange a GP consultation for suspected dengue or worsening symptoms. Rest, take fluids in small frequent amounts and keep a record of temperature, drinking, urine, vomiting, pain and bleeding.

Follow advice about fever relief and avoid aspirin or ibuprofen unless a clinician tells you to use them. Reduce mosquito bites with covered clothing, screens or repellent so mosquitoes do not carry infection onward.

Go to urgent care immediately if any warning sign appears, if the person cannot drink, becomes confused or faint, has difficulty breathing, or passes very little urine. Fever improving does not remove the need for urgent assessment.

Do these symptoms need testing today? How often should I be checked? Which medicines and fluids are appropriate? What bleeding should we report? Where should we go if symptoms worsen outside clinic hours?