Dengue and severe dengue

Dengue (break-bone fever) is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.

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Most people who get dengue will not have symptoms. But for those who do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most will get better in 1-2 weeks. Some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospital.

In severe cases, dengue can be fatal.

You can lower your risk of dengue by avoiding mosquito bites especially during the day.

Dengue is treated with pain medicine as there is no specific treatment currently.

Symptoms

Most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms and will get better in 1-2 weeks. Rarely, dengue can be severe and lead to death.

If symptoms occur, they usually begin 4-10 days after infection and last for 2-7 days. Symptoms may include:

high fever (40°C/104°F)

severe headache

pain behind the eyes

muscle and joint pains

nausea

vomiting

swollen glands

rash.

Individuals who are infected for the second time are at greater risk of severe dengue.

Severe dengue symptoms often come after the fever has gone away:

severe abdominal pain

persistent vomiting

rapid breathing

bleeding gums or nose

fatigue

restlessness

blood in vomit or stool

being very thirsty

pale and cold skin

feeling weak.

People with these severe symptoms should get care right away.

After recovery, people who have had dengue may feel tired for several weeks.

Diagnostics and treatment

asymptomatic or produce only mild illness, the virus can occasionally cause more severe cases, and even death.

Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control. There is no specific treatment for dengue/ severe dengue, and early detection and access to proper medical care greatly lower fatality rates of severe dengue