When to worry about headache with dengue fever

Dengue can cause fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches and significant tiredness. The headache may occur alongside the fever and can feel worse with dehydration. A headache alone does not show how serious the illness is, so watch your overall condition and any new symptoms.

Rest in a cool place and take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Keep track of fluids, urination, fever and changes in pain. Use only medicines recommended by a clinician; avoid aspirin and ibuprofen unless a healthcare professional specifically tells you to take them, because dengue can involve bleeding. Do not take extra doses of any medicine containing paracetamol.

Get emergency help if the headache becomes sudden or intense, or if it occurs with confusion, unusual sleepiness, a seizure, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, trouble breathing, cold clammy skin, fainting or very little urine. Contact a clinician promptly if fever settles but you become more unwell, because warning signs can appear around that change.

Ask which pain reliever is suitable, how much fluid you should aim to take, which warning signs matter for you, and when your blood tests or follow-up should occur. Tell the clinician when the headache began, whether it is worsening, what medicines you have taken, and whether you can keep fluids down.