Dengue details: what patients should know

Dengue is caused by a virus transmitted by infected mosquitoes. A sudden fever may occur with headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches, joint pain, chills, nausea or a rash. The illness can be mild, but fluid loss and bleeding are possible complications that make observation important.

Symptoms alone cannot confirm dengue. A healthcare professional may combine an examination with the illness timeline, exposure history and blood testing. Fever settling is not a reason to stop watching for new symptoms, because some warning signs appear during that change.

Rest, drink regularly and choose easily tolerated foods. Keep notes about fever, vomiting, urine output, alertness, rash and bleeding. Use fever medicine only as directed by a clinician or the label; aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided unless a clinician advises otherwise. A GP Consultation can help decide on testing, follow-up and safe return to usual activities.

Seek urgent medical care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, easy bruising, black or bloody stools, confusion, unusual sleepiness, breathing difficulty, faintness, cold clammy skin or very little urine. Tell the service that dengue is possible and describe when the fever began.

Ask what diagnosis is being considered, whether you need testing or repeat blood checks, how to judge hydration, which medicines to avoid, and which symptoms mean you should attend an emergency service.