Infectious Severe Severity

Dengue Fever

All Both Reviewed by Quick Care Medical Team
Overview Symptoms Causes Prevention Treatment

Overview

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness transmitted mainly by Aedes mosquitoes.

How it affects the body:

  • Causes high fever and systemic inflammation.
  • Can lower platelet count and increase bleeding risk.
  • Severe dengue can cause plasma leakage, shock, and organ impairment.

Symptoms

Common symptoms:

Symptoms often start suddenly after an incubation period and can progress quickly.

  • Sudden high fever
  • Severe headache and pain behind the eyes
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Nausea, vomiting, and skin rash
  • Mild bleeding (gum or nose) in some patients

Causes

Transmission and risk:

Outbreak risk increases during warm and rainy periods with more mosquito breeding.

  • Spread by bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes.
  • Mosquito breeding increases in standing clean water.
  • Urban crowding and poor vector control increase outbreaks.

Prevention

Personal and community prevention:

Prevention works best when households and local authorities act together.

  • Remove standing water from coolers, buckets, and containers.
  • Use mosquito repellents and full-sleeve clothing.
  • Install window screens and use bed nets when needed.
  • Support local vector-control campaigns.
  • Seek early testing during fever outbreaks.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for most dengue cases; management is supportive with hydration, fever control, and close monitoring for warning signs.

Avoid self-medication with ibuprofen or aspirin unless a doctor advises.

Trusted sources: WHO Dengue and Severe Dengue, CDC Dengue clinical guidance.

Quick Facts
Category Infectious
Severity Severe
Age Group All
Gender Both
Related Conditions
Tuberculosis (TB)
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