Dengue season: the warning signs that mean it's time to see a doctor
Most dengue infections are mild, but a few warning signs mean a patient needs hospital care quickly. Here is what to watch for — and what to avoid at home.
Dengue is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which bite mainly during the day and breed in small pools of clean, standing water. Most people who catch it recover with rest and fluids. But a small share develop severe dengue, and the difference between a scare and a tragedy is often how quickly the warning signs are noticed.
The usual symptoms
Dengue typically starts with a sudden high fever, often with a strong headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint aches, nausea, and sometimes a rash. These symptoms are unpleasant but are not, on their own, an emergency.
Warning signs: go to a hospital
Doctors pay special attention to the period when the fever starts to come down, usually a few days in. That is when severe dengue can develop. Seek medical care urgently if someone with suspected dengue has any of the following:
- severe pain in the stomach or belly
- vomiting that keeps happening
- bleeding from the gums or nose, or blood in vomit or stool
- fast breathing
- unusual tiredness, restlessness or confusion
- cold, clammy skin or very little urine
Children, pregnant women, older people and anyone who has had dengue before should be watched especially closely.
What to do — and not do — at home
For fever and pain, doctors generally advise paracetamol and plenty of fluids such as water, oral saline, soup or coconut water. Avoid painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen unless a doctor tells you otherwise, because they can increase the risk of bleeding. A blood test can confirm dengue, and a doctor may ask for repeat platelet and blood counts.
Stop the mosquitoes where they breed
Aedes mosquitoes lay eggs in containers that hold water: flower-pot trays, buckets, discarded tyres, air-cooler tanks, roof-top tubs and even bottle caps. Emptying, scrubbing or covering these once a week breaks the breeding cycle. Use mosquito nets, especially for anyone who is already sick, so the virus is not passed on to others in the family.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, contact a doctor or the nearest health facility.