Dengue headache: symptoms and when to seek help

Dengue commonly presents with fever, headache and aches in the muscles or joints. Head pain may feel intense and may occur with light sensitivity, fatigue, nausea or discomfort behind the eyes. Headache by itself has many possible causes, including dehydration, a common cold, sinus problems, heat exhaustion, COVID-19 or anxiety. A headache does not establish dengue; a clinician considers the full pattern, exposure history and examination.

Rest somewhere cool and quiet, reduce bright light if it worsens the pain, and take frequent sips of water or oral rehydration fluid. Keep a note of fever, vomiting, urine output and any bleeding. Use pain or fever medicine only after checking it is suitable; avoid aspirin and ibuprofen unless a clinician directs you to take them. Seek a GP consultation if the headache is new with fever, persistent, unusually strong or difficult to control.

Seek emergency help for a sudden severe headache, confusion, fainting, a seizure, a stiff neck, weakness, trouble speaking, repeated vomiting, breathing difficulty or inability to drink. Urgent assessment is also needed for blood in vomit or stools, unusual bruising, very little urine or a person who is difficult to wake. Do not drive if dizziness, weakness or altered alertness is present.

Ask whether dengue testing is appropriate, which pain reliever is safest, how much fluid to take, and which changes should trigger emergency care.