What should you know about dengue high fever?

Dengue often begins with fever and may include chills, headache, muscle aches, or joint pain. These symptoms are presentations of dengue, not proof that every fever is dengue. Fever can make a person dehydrated, weak, and less able to eat or drink. A temperature reading is useful, but the overall pattern matters too: hydration, alertness, breathing, pain, vomiting, and bleeding should all be considered. Symptoms can change as the fever settles, so improvement in temperature does not always mean the illness is over.

Contact a GP for advice if dengue is possible, especially after travel or mosquito exposure in an area where dengue occurs. Rest and take frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink if you can keep fluids down. Use only fever medicines advised by a clinician or pharmacist; avoid self-starting medicines that may increase bleeding risk. Check your temperature and note fluid intake, urination, vomiting, rash, bruising, and any change in alertness.

Get urgent care for severe belly pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stools, marked drowsiness, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, cold or clammy skin, or reduced urination. Seek advice promptly if a fever is not settling, returns after easing, or occurs in a child, older adult, pregnant person, or someone with a long-term illness.

Ask what testing is appropriate, which fever medicine is safe for you, how often to check hydration, when you should be reviewed, and which local service to use if warning signs appear.