Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, aches, headache and, occasionally, serious complications.

It is passed through the bite of an infected mosquito, not through casual contact with another person. Illness can range from a flu-like episode to a more severe form that needs urgent hospital care. Early assessment helps clinicians monitor changes and rule out other causes of fever.

Fever, headache, joint pain and muscle aches are very common presentations of dengue fever. Chills and easy bruising are also common presentations. Some people also notice nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, a rash, or marked tiredness.

Seek urgent medical care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, unusual drowsiness, restlessness, or breathing difficulty. These warning signs can appear as the fever begins to settle.

Dengue is caused by a virus carried by certain mosquitoes. A mosquito becomes infected after biting a person with the virus in their blood and may transmit it during a later bite. Mosquitoes that spread dengue often bite during daylight hours as well as around dawn and dusk.

A previous dengue infection does not remove the need to take future episodes seriously. Different dengue virus types can circulate, and the pattern of illness may differ from one episode to another.

Symptoms often start suddenly and the early phase may resemble other viral illnesses. During recovery, tiredness can linger even after fever and acute aches improve. A clinician may ask you to watch closely for warning signs during the changing phase of illness.

Rest, fluids and follow-up instructions matter because dehydration and bleeding can develop quickly in a smaller group of people. Do not rely only on whether the fever is high or low when deciding whether to seek help.

Risk is linked to being bitten by infected mosquitoes in places where dengue is circulating. Young children, older adults, pregnant people and people with certain long-term health conditions may need closer clinical monitoring when unwell.

Tell the clinician about recent travel, where you have spent time outdoors, current medicines and any history of bleeding problems. This information can guide testing and safety advice.

A clinician considers symptoms, examination findings and possible mosquito exposure. Blood testing can look for signs of dengue infection and can help monitor blood cells and hydration-related changes. The type and timing of a test depend on when symptoms began.

Bring a list of medicines and mention pain medicines, supplements or herbal products. Some medicines can increase bleeding risk or be unsuitable when dengue is suspected.

There is no specific medicine that clears dengue virus in routine care. Treatment focuses on safe symptom relief, adequate fluids, rest and monitoring. A clinician may recommend paracetamol for fever or pain when appropriate for you.

Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory pain medicines unless a clinician specifically advises them, because they may raise bleeding concerns. Severe dengue needs hospital treatment, where teams can monitor circulation, fluids and bleeding closely.

Drink regularly if you can, rest, and follow the plan provided by your clinician. Keep an eye on urine output, dizziness, worsening pain, vomiting and bleeding. It can help to have another adult check in if you feel very weak or live alone.

Avoid alcohol while recovering and delay strenuous activity until your energy and symptoms have improved. Contact the treating team if symptoms change rather than waiting for a planned review.

A severe form of dengue can involve bleeding, fluid leakage from blood vessels, shock or organ stress. These complications require urgent treatment. They are not identified by a single symptom alone, which is why the full pattern of symptoms and examination findings matters.

Use an appropriate mosquito repellent, wear clothing that covers exposed skin when practical, and use screens or air-conditioned rooms where available. Remove or cover standing water around accommodation, including containers that collect rainwater.

If someone in the household has dengue, preventing mosquito bites around them can reduce the chance of mosquitoes carrying the virus onward.

A GP can assess fever and body aches, organise testing and advise on home monitoring or urgent referral. Go to emergency care for warning signs such as bleeding, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, faintness or breathing difficulty.