What should you know about dengue and diarrhea?

Dengue commonly causes fever, headache, joint pain, and muscle aches, while diarrhea may occur as part of the illness or from another infection at the same time. Diarrhea does not establish that dengue is present. A clinician considers the whole pattern, including mosquito exposure, fever, examination findings, and testing.

Fluid loss from loose stools is more concerning when fever, vomiting, or poor appetite also reduce drinking. Signs of dehydration include a dry mouth, dizziness when standing, marked weakness, dark or infrequent urine, and unusual sleepiness.

Take frequent small sips of water or oral rehydration solution; broth and other suitable fluids may help if tolerated. Choose light foods as appetite returns. Avoid self-starting anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen, and check with a clinician before taking an anti-diarrhea medicine, especially if there is fever or blood in the stool. A GP Consultation can help distinguish dengue from other causes and set a monitoring plan.

Get urgent care for blood in vomit or stool, black stools, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fainting, confusion, breathing difficulty, or inability to keep fluids down. Seek prompt assessment if urine becomes very infrequent or weakness is worsening, because dehydration can progress quickly.

Ask which fluids are appropriate, whether you need dengue or stool testing, how to record urine and stool changes, and which medicines you should avoid while dengue remains possible.