What should you know about identifying a dengue mosquito?

Aedes mosquitoes are often small, dark mosquitoes with pale markings on the body and legs. They can bite during daylight as well as around dawn or dusk, so avoiding bites only at night is not enough. A mosquito's appearance cannot confirm that it carries dengue, and a bite may go unnoticed.

Dengue fever commonly presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, chills, nausea, or a rash. Easy bruising or bleeding can occur in more serious illness. These symptoms can have other causes, so a healthcare professional may need to assess you.

Use an insect repellent as directed, wear clothing that covers skin, and use screens or air conditioning where available. Empty standing water from containers, trays, plant pots, and other items around the home; cover stored water. If you become ill after mosquito exposure or travel, rest, drink fluids if you can, and arrange a GP consultation. Tell the clinician where and when exposure occurred.

Avoid donating blood or allowing more mosquito bites while you are being assessed if dengue is suspected, because mosquitoes can acquire the virus from an infected person.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the gums or nose, blood in vomit or stool, marked drowsiness, restlessness, breathing difficulty, or fainting. Emergency help is needed for collapse, confusion, or heavy bleeding. A falling fever does not always mean the illness is resolving, so worsening symptoms need prompt review.

Ask whether your symptoms and travel history fit dengue, whether testing is appropriate at this stage, which pain medicines are safe for you, how to maintain fluids, and which warning signs require emergency care.