What should you know about dengue fever how to spread?

A mosquito can acquire dengue virus when it bites an infected person. After the virus develops inside the mosquito, a later bite can pass it to another person. This makes mosquito control important around someone who has dengue: a mosquito that bites them may later infect others.

Dengue is not generally passed by sharing food, touching, coughing or sitting near someone. Rare transmission routes can occur in special medical or pregnancy-related circumstances, so tell a clinician about pregnancy, recent travel and possible exposure.

If dengue is suspected, prevent bites with repellent, long sleeves, window screens, bed nets and by removing standing water around the home. Keep containers covered and empty water that collects in plant trays or other objects. Follow local public-health advice. Arrange a GP Consultation for fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, joint pain or unusual bruising after possible exposure.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, easy bruising, breathing difficulty, faintness, confusion, unusual sleepiness or very little urine. Transmission information does not determine how serious an illness is; urgency is guided by the person’s symptoms and condition.

Ask whether your symptoms could fit dengue, whether testing is needed, how long to prevent mosquito bites, what household measures are useful, and which warning signs require emergency care.