Overview
About Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a disease caused by the dengue virus which is transmitted to humans by infected Aedes mosquitoes. There are 4 dengue virus serotypes (i.e. groups of the same species) – DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4.
Dengue fever usually lasts between 2 to 7 days. Most people recover from dengue infection without requiring hospital admission.
Dengue Symptoms
- Fever
- Headache with pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint aches
- Rash
- Mild bleeding tendency (e.g. bleeding from nose or gums, heavy menses)
- Easy bruising
- Nausea and vomiting
Risks of Dengue Fever
The risk of death from dengue is very low, about 1 in 500, to 1 in 1000.
However, dengue can cause low blood pressure and in rare cases may progress to severe dengue (i.e. dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome).
Symptoms of serious complications may include:
- Major bleeding
- Low blood pressure or shock due to leaking blood vessels or bleeding
- Inflammation of the liver
- Inflammation of other organs such as the heart or brain (rare)
Warning Signs of Dengue Fever
If you develop any of these warning signs, please inform our doctors IMMEDIATELY:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Black and tarry stools
- Bleeding from nose or gums
- Drowsiness or irritability
- Pale, cold, or clammy (i.e. sweaty) skin
- Difficulty breathing
Prevention
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Get rid of mosquito breeding places (Most effective prevention method)
- Aedes mosquitoes can breed in our house. Items that collect or are used to store water (e.g. flower vase, buckets) must be covered or drained.
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Reduce the risks of mosquito bites
- Use air conditioning and windows/doors with mosquito screens
- Apply mosquito repellents containing 20% to 30% DEET (diethyltoluamide). DEET helps to deter and repel mosquitoes.
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Apply these precautions when travelling to other tropical destinations.
Detection & Treatment
Our doctors and nurses will do clinical assessments and blood tests at regular intervals to determine which stage of dengue you are at.
Patients may undergo the following tests:
- Full blood count – to assess haematocrit (i.e. blood concentration), platelet count and white blood cells
- Dengue diagnostic tests – to confirm the diagnosis of dengue
- Kidney and liver tests – to check for dehydration, kidney and liver function
- Miscellaneous tests – based on your condition, other tests may be conducted
Treatment of Dengue Fever
There are no antibiotics or anti-viral medications to treat dengue fever. Treatment includes rest and close follow-up with a doctor to monitor your condition.
The main components to managing dengue fever are:
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Fluid & Electrolyte Replacement
- Drink plenty of fluids (e.g. water, isotonic drinks, fruit juices and soup) to maintain hydration
- Fluids may be given intravenously (i.e. IV drip) if you are unable to drink due to nausea or vomiting
- Some patients may also need to have their electrolytes (e.g. potassium) replaced
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Symptom Relief & Fever Control
- Painkillers (e.g. paracetamol) to relieve pain and control fever
- Medications may also be prescribed for nausea, vomiting and itch. Rash will usually resolve over 2 to 3 weeks
- Avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs such as Brufen® (ibuprofen), Voltaren® (diclofenac), Synflex® (naproxen) or Ponstan® (mefenamic acid) as they may cause gastric ulcers and subsequent bleeding, and worsen platelet function
- If in doubt, please consult your doctor
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Bleeding Prevention & Control
- Rest in bed, reduce risk of falls and injuries to prevent unnecessary bleeding
- Avoid intramuscular injections (i.e. injection of a substance directly into muscle)
- If you develop bleeding, bruises or swellings, please highlight them to your doctor or nurse immediately.
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