Tested positive for dengue: what to know

Dengue is a viral illness spread by mosquitoes. Your clinician can interpret the type and timing of the test alongside your symptoms, examination, and any blood tests needed to monitor your condition.

Dengue fever can present with fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, and joint pain. Symptoms can change as the fever settles, so feeling less feverish does not always mean monitoring can stop.

Many people recover with supportive care, but dengue can sometimes affect fluid balance or increase the tendency to bleed. This is why a clinician may ask you to return for reassessment or repeat blood testing.

Follow the plan given by your clinician, rest, and take frequent fluids if you can keep them down. Keep track of fever, pain, vomiting, urine output, and any new bleeding or bruising so you can report changes clearly.

Use only medicines your clinician or pharmacist says are suitable. Do not start aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory pain medicines without medical advice, because they can raise bleeding concerns in dengue. Paracetamol may be suggested for fever or pain when appropriate for you.

Avoid mosquito bites while you are unwell by using repellent, covering exposed skin, and keeping mosquitoes out of your room. This helps reduce the chance that a mosquito picks up the virus and passes it on.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, marked weakness, fainting, confusion, or trouble drinking fluids. These changes need assessment rather than home observation.

Get medical help promptly if you notice bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, unusually heavy bleeding, or easy bruising. Contact your treating clinician for worsening symptoms even if you do not have these warning signs.

Ask which symptoms mean you should return the same day, whether you need follow-up blood tests, which pain or fever medicines are suitable, and how much fluid you should aim to drink based on your health needs. Tell them about pregnancy, long-term conditions, and every medicine or supplement you use.