Can dengue spread from person to person?

A mosquito can acquire dengue virus when it bites an infected person and later pass it to another person through a bite. Sharing food, touching, hugging, coughing, or sitting near someone with dengue does not normally transmit the infection. Transmission can rarely involve infected blood or occur from a pregnant person to a baby. A person with dengue can still be bitten by mosquitoes, allowing the local cycle to continue. Fever, Headache, Chills, Joint Pain, and Muscle Aches can occur with dengue, but symptoms alone cannot establish how infection happened.

If you may have dengue, prevent mosquito bites by using suitable repellent, wearing covered clothing, and using screens or a bed net. Remove standing water around the home where mosquitoes can breed. Avoid donating blood while unwell and follow medical advice about returning to normal activities. A GP Consultation can help assess symptoms and travel or exposure history.

Get urgent care for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, extreme weakness, confusion, fainting, breathing trouble, or difficulty drinking. Seek advice promptly if fever or other symptoms develop after travel to a dengue-risk area, especially if Easy Bruising appears.

Ask whether your symptoms fit dengue, how long to avoid mosquito exposure, whether household members need protection, and which warning signs require immediate assessment.