When to worry about easy bruising with dengue fever

Dengue fever can affect the blood vessels and platelet levels, making bruising or other bleeding more likely. A change in symptoms matters especially as fever settles, because serious illness can develop around that time.

Watch for bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, marked restlessness or drowsiness, cold clammy skin, or much less urine. These signs need prompt assessment.

Contact a clinician promptly about unexplained or increasing bruising during suspected or confirmed dengue fever. Rest, drink fluids as advised, and keep track of vomiting, urine, bleeding, and alertness. Use only fever medicines recommended by your clinician.

Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen unless a clinician specifically tells you to take them, because they can increase bleeding risk. Do not rely on the bruise alone to judge how serious the illness is.

Go to emergency care for persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, breathing difficulty, cold or pale skin, heavy bleeding, blood in vomit or stool, or inability to drink. Urgent assessment is also needed if bruises are spreading quickly or urine becomes markedly reduced.

Do I need a repeat blood count or examination? Which pain and fever medicines are suitable? How much fluid should I take? What changes in urine, alertness, bleeding, or abdominal symptoms mean I should return immediately?