What should you know about precautions for dengue patient?

Dengue may cause fever with headache, chills, muscle aches and joint pain. The patient may be tired or nauseated and may bruise easily. A carer should notice changes in alertness, drinking and urination rather than relying on temperature alone. Symptoms can evolve after the first few days.

Medical review is especially useful when the patient is a child, older adult, pregnant, dehydrated or living with another condition. Keep test results and medicine details available for the treating team.

Offer frequent small drinks, including oral rehydration fluid when advised, and note whether urine is being passed. Encourage rest and use light clothing in a comfortable room. Give paracetamol only according to professional advice; do not add aspirin, ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory medicine without checking first. Protect the patient from mosquito bites with a net, screens, repellent and covered skin. Keep the surroundings calm and reduce fall or injury risks if the patient feels weak.

Take the patient for urgent assessment if there is severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, black stool, unusual sleepiness, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, cold clammy skin or very little urine. If the patient cannot drink, becomes difficult to wake or suddenly worsens, use emergency services. Do not leave a very unwell patient alone while arranging help.

Ask how often to check the patient, what fluid plan fits their health, which medicines are safe, whether follow-up testing is planned, and exactly where to seek help overnight.