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Overview
Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is an infection spread by mosquitoes. It's not usually serious and often gets better on its own. Some people get a more severe type of dengue, but this is rare.
Symptoms
Dengue does not always cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they usually start 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Some dengue symptoms are similar to flu. They include:
- a high temperature
- a severe headache
- pain behind your eyes
- muscle and joint pain
- feeling or being sick
- swollen glands
- a blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots – this can affect large areas of your body
Severe dengue
Some people get a more severe type of dengue a few days after they first started feeling ill, but this is rare.
You may start to feel better with your temperature returning to normal, but about 24 to 48 hours later you may get more serious symptoms.
Symptoms of severe dengue include:
- severe tummy pain
- repeatedly being sick
- fast breathing
- bleeding gums or nose
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- being unable to relax (restlessness)
- blood in your vomit or poo
Risk Factors
At-risk groups include those who:
- are very young
- are over 65
- are pregnant
- have a weakened immune system
Treatment Options
Most people with dengue feel better in a few days.
There is no treatment for dengue, but you can help ease your symptoms by:
- resting
- drinking plenty of fluids
- taking paracetamol to help bring down your temperature and ease any pain
- Do not take anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin. These can cause bleeding problems if you have dengue.
If you have severe dengue, you'll need to stay in hospital until you recover.
Prevention Tips
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Do:
- wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening
- use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET)
- close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens
- sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide, including during the day
When To See A Doctor
Severe dengue can be very serious if it's not treated quickly in hospital.
Go to a hospital as soon as possible if you get severe dengue symptoms.
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