Dengue Fever
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can range from a flu-like illness to severe bleeding and shock.
About dengue fever
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can range from a flu-like illness to severe bleeding and shock.
What can cause it?
Dengue is spread by infected Aedes mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical areas.
A later phase can cause capillary leakage, bleeding, organ injury, and shock even as fever falls.
What a patient may notice
Symptoms vary from person to person. Possible signs may include:
- High fever, severe headache, or pain behind the eyes
- Muscle, joint, or bone pain
- Nausea, rash, or easy bruising
How clinicians find the cause
Travel history, blood count, liver tests, and dengue molecular or antibody testing support diagnosis. Repeat monitoring may be needed as illness evolves.
Treatment and next steps
- 1
There is no routine antiviral cure; careful fluids and monitoring are central.
- 2
Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs because of bleeding risk; use only clinician-approved fever medicine.
- 3
Severe dengue requires hospital fluid management and close monitoring.
Supporting recovery
- Hydrate, rest, and watch closely for warning signs as fever improves.
- Prevent mosquito bites during illness to reduce spread to others.
What to expect
Most people with dengue recover over about a week with careful hydration and monitoring, although fatigue may last longer. A small proportion develop severe dengue, sometimes as the fever begins to fall. Rapid recognition of warning signs and hospital fluid management greatly improve the chance of recovery.
Possible complications
- Severe plasma leakage leading to shock or fluid buildup around the lungs
- Significant bleeding or impaired clotting
- Liver, heart, brain, or other organ injury in severe dengue
When to Contact a Medical Professional
A same-day medical evaluation is recommended, especially when symptoms are severe, worsening, or accompanied by fever, vomiting, weakness, or significant pain.
Emergency warning signs include severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, blood in vomit or stool, extreme weakness, restlessness, or trouble breathing.Get emergency help for severe trouble breathing, new chest pressure, fainting, seizure, sudden weakness on one side, uncontrolled bleeding, blue or gray lips, or a person who is difficult to wake.
Ways to lower risk
- Use repellent, long sleeves, screens, and removal of standing water.
- Discuss destination-specific vaccine guidance with a travel clinician.
Trusted health information
This CHS patient-education page uses original wording and links to MedlinePlus for additional information.