What should you know about dengue prophylaxis?

Dengue is spread by infected mosquitoes, so protection is centred on reducing bites. Repellent on exposed skin, long sleeves and trousers, window screens, air conditioning, and removing standing water around living areas can all help. Ask a clinician or travel service whether any vaccine is suitable for your age, health history, and destination; availability and eligibility vary. Preventive antibiotics do not stop dengue.

Apply repellent as directed and reapply when needed, especially after sweating or swimming. Use screens or a bed net where mosquitoes are present, and keep containers that collect water covered or emptied. If you develop fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, or chills after possible exposure, limit further mosquito contact and arrange a GP Consultation. Tell the clinician about travel, residence, and any medicines you take.

Seek urgent care for easy bruising or bleeding, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, faintness, confusion, breathing difficulty, unusual drowsiness, or very little urine. These warning signs can occur while fever is changing. Pregnancy, infancy, older age, and long-term illnesses are reasons to seek advice promptly rather than relying on home prevention alone.

Ask which repellent is appropriate, whether vaccination or travel advice applies to you, how long to continue bite prevention after illness, and which pain medicines to avoid.