Dengue side effects and warning signs

Dengue may cause fever, headache, muscle aches and joint pain, but the illness can also affect fluid balance and bleeding. Nausea or vomiting can make drinking difficult. A rash may come and go, and easy bruising or bleeding from the nose and gums should not be dismissed. Feeling better as fever drops can be misleading because warning signs may emerge at that point. The severity of a symptom cannot be judged reliably at home, particularly in people with other health conditions.

Take frequent small drinks and keep a record of vomiting, urination and new symptoms. Rest and protect your skin from knocks if bruising is present. Check every medicine with a clinician or pharmacist; avoid aspirin and ibuprofen unless specifically approved because of bleeding concerns. Do not share medication, and do not start antibiotics without medical advice. Arrange a GP Consultation for assessment and a plan for follow-up.

Seek urgent care for blood in vomit or stools, black stools, persistent bleeding, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fainting, confusion, marked sleepiness, breathing difficulty, cold clammy skin or very little urine. Chills with worsening weakness can also be a reason to seek prompt advice. Emergency services are appropriate when the person is collapsing, difficult to wake or struggling to breathe.

Ask which effects are expected, how to recognise dehydration, whether your medicines need changing, when blood tests should be checked, and what symptoms mean you should return immediately.