What are the symptoms of dengue or dengue fever?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been feeling terrible the past few days with a high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint aches, extreme fatigue, and nausea. I recently traveled to a tropical country and got several mosquito bites, which worried me about dengue fever. What are the typical symptoms of dengue? How can I differentiate it from other illnesses? Should I be concerned about complications? What tests can confirm dengue, and is there a specific treatment, or should I rest and use pain relievers? When should I seek immediate medical attention? Any advice on preventing dengue in the future would be helpful, too.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Your symptoms might be related to an acute viral infection.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti species. The virus that causes dengue is part of the flavivirus family.

Here is some information addressing your concerns:

Typical symptoms of dengue:

High fever: Sudden onset, reaching up to 104°F or degrees Fahrenheit (40°C or degrees Celsius).
Severe headache: Intense pain behind the eyes.
Joint and muscle pain: Often severe, known as "breakbone fever."
Rash: May appear a few days after the fever starts.
Nausea and vomiting: Common gastrointestinal symptoms.
Fatigue: General tiredness and weakness.
Mild bleeding: Includes nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or easy bruising.

Differentiating from other illnesses:

Influenza (flu): Similar symptoms, but dengue often includes more severe headache, rash, and bleeding.
Malaria: High fever with chills; malaria typically has a cyclical fever pattern.
COVID-19: Fever, headache, and fatigue are common, but COVID-19 often has respiratory symptoms like cough and difficulty breathing, which are less common in dengue.

Complications to be concerned about:

Severe dengue: Also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). They are characterized by bleeding, plasma leakage, and potentially life-threatening shock.
Symptoms of severe dengue: Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, rapid breathing, fatigue, restlessness, or blood in vomit or stool.
Risk factors: Previous dengue infection increases the risk of severe dengue.

Diagnostic Tests for Dengue:

NS1 antigen test: Detects the virus in early stages.
PCR test: Identifies the virus's genetic material.
IgM and IgG antibody tests: Detect antibodies produced in response to the virus; IgM appears early, IgG later.

When to seek immediate medical attention:

Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
Bleeding from the nose, gums, or under the skin
Blood in vomit or stools
Rapid or difficult breathing
Fatigue, restlessness, or irritability

For the prevention of dengue, I suggest the following:

Avoid mosquito bites:

Use insect repellent with DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil.
Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk.
Use mosquito nets and screens.

Control mosquito breeding:

Remove standing water from flowerpots, containers, and tires.
Use larvicides in water storage containers that cannot be emptied.

Community measures:

Participate in efforts to reduce mosquito populations.
Support local health initiatives for mosquito control.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.