Dengue

It takes 4-7 days for a person to develop symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito infected with dengue to develop symptoms.

Illness in some people. Only 1 out of 4 people with dengue will have symptoms. Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults. The symptoms of dengue are high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding (e.g., nose or gums bleed, easy bruising). Most individuals recover within 3 to 10 days.

Severe illness in a few people. Some individuals will develop dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). These are severe and sometimes fatal types of the disease. After 3-7 days of mild symptoms the fever will disappear; at this time, warning signs of severe disease may appear.

• Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
• Red spots or patches on the skin (bruising easily)
• Bleeding from nose or gums
• Vomiting blood
• Dark red or black stools (poop)
• Drowsiness or irritability
• Pale, cold, or clammy skin
• Difficulty breathing

Dengue can be life-threatening and if an individual with dengue begins to experience any of the above symptoms, they should go IMMEDIATELY to an emergency room or the closest health care provider.

Individuals should see a healthcare provider if they develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where dengue is found. The provider may order blood tests to look for dengue or other similar viruses like chikungunya and Zika.

There are no specific treatment options. There is currently a vaccine under development for dengue. A doctor may recommend rest, fluids, and medication containing acetaminophen to relieve fever and pain. Aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided. If severe symptoms develop, an individual should seek immediate care at a hospital.

Avoid certain medications. Individuals should not take aspirin or ibuprofen as it may increase the risk of bleeding.

Stop the spread. Individuals who are infected with dengue should be protected from any more mosquito bites for at least 7 days after the start of fever (this can be done by staying indoors and/or using mosquito repellents with DEET). During this time, dengue virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus by biting other people.

Protect yourself while traveling. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites, day and night. If you travel to an area with risk of dengue, use insect repellant containing DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay in places with air conditioning or that use windows and door screens. Use a bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.