Suspected dengue

Dengue is an infection spread by mosquitoes. It may cause a sudden fever with headache, chills, muscle aches, joint pain, marked tiredness, nausea or a rash. Easy bruising or bleeding can occur and should be reported. These symptoms overlap with other infections, so they do not confirm dengue on their own; recent travel, local exposure and the pattern of illness help a clinician decide what assessment is needed.

Some people become more unwell as fever starts to settle. Abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, unusual sleepiness, restlessness, breathing difficulty or cold clammy skin can signal a serious complication and need urgent attention.

Contact a GP or urgent-care service for advice, particularly after travel or mosquito exposure in an area where dengue occurs. Rest, drink fluids in small frequent amounts and keep a record of temperature, symptoms, urine output and any bleeding or bruising. Use only medicines recommended by a clinician or pharmacist, because some pain medicines can increase bleeding risk when dengue is possible. Prevent further mosquito bites with clothing, screens and repellent so an infected mosquito is less likely to spread the virus.

A GP Consultation can help review the illness, exposure history, hydration and need for testing or follow-up. Avoid strenuous activity until a clinician advises that it is safe.

Seek emergency care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, black stools, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, breathing difficulty or very little urine. Urgent assessment is also needed if a fever is followed by worsening symptoms, marked drowsiness or cold, pale skin. Do not wait for a routine appointment when these signs appear.

Tell the clinician where and when you travelled, mosquito exposure, when the fever began, medicines taken, fluid intake and any bruising or bleeding. Ask which warning signs to monitor, whether testing is needed, and when normal activity can safely resume.