What should you know about a real dengue mosquito?

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. A dengue infection commonly presents with fever, and people may also develop intense headache, muscle aches, joint pain, chills, nausea, or a rash. Easy bruising or bleeding needs attention. A mosquito bite alone does not establish that you have dengue, and several other infections can cause similar symptoms. Recent travel or residence in an area where dengue occurs is useful information for a clinician.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and monitor your temperature and symptoms. Arrange a GP consultation if fever follows a mosquito exposure, especially after travel or if the illness is worsening. Tell the clinician when symptoms began and where you have been. Avoid mosquito bites while unwell by using screens, suitable repellent, long clothing, and bed nets; this reduces the chance of passing the virus to mosquitoes that could bite others. Use medicines only as advised, because some pain medicines may increase bleeding risk.

Seek urgent medical care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, marked weakness, fainting, confusion, breathing difficulty, cold or clammy skin, or very little urine. Urgent assessment is also needed if a fever seems to improve but you then become significantly worse, because serious illness can develop around that change.

Could dengue testing or another test be useful? How should I manage fever and fluids? Which medicines should I avoid? What symptoms require an emergency visit? How can I prevent mosquito bites at home?