Dengue fever is a viral disease

A virus enters the body and uses cells to reproduce, so antibiotics do not treat dengue itself. The immune response can produce a sudden fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, chills, nausea or rash. Some people develop easy bruising or bleeding and need medical review. Dengue symptoms overlap with other viral and non-viral illnesses; a clinician considers the pattern, exposure and examination before deciding on tests.

There is no routine antibiotic treatment for dengue. Rest, replace fluids in small frequent amounts and record symptoms. Check with a healthcare professional before choosing pain relief, because medicines that affect clotting may be unsuitable. Prevent mosquito bites while feverish with repellent, covered skin and screens. This protects you from further bites and reduces the chance that a mosquito spreads the virus to another person.

Seek urgent care if you develop severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, black stools, faintness, confusion, breathing difficulty, cold or clammy skin, or reduced urination. Risk can change as fever improves, so do not stop monitoring at the first sign of a lower temperature. A GP Consultation can help plan assessment for less urgent symptoms.

Ask whether your symptoms fit dengue, whether testing is advised, which medicines and drinks are suitable, how to recognise dehydration, and how soon you need review.