Dengue fever is a virus transmitted through mosquito bites from an infected female Aedes mosquito. It cannot be transmitted directly from person to person.
Symptoms usually appear 4 – 10 days after the mosquito bite. In the case of mild dengue fever, symptoms include a sudden high fever (40°C and higher), rash, fatigue, backaches and severe body aches, bones and joints, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, headaches and swollen glands. Most people take around a week to recover. If you have been bitten by a mosquito and experience these symptoms, it is best to visit a doctor and seek medical attention. Bleeding in the skin (bruising), urine or in the stool may be a sign of a severe complication of dengue fever and should warrant a prompt medical assessment.
Dengue fever in children may start with a sore throat, cough, mild rash or fever. Dengue fever in young kids can present with febrile fits (seizure-like activity associated with rapidly changing body temperature). Generally, dengue fever symptoms are milder in children than in adults.
However, it is important for parents to pay special attention to possible symptoms of dengue fever in infants, as they may be difficult to recognise and appear similar to other childhood infections. Infants under the age of 1 are especially at risk of developing severe cases of dengue fever.
Visit our 24-hour clinic if your infant:
- has a fever (above 38°C) or a low temperature (less than 36°C); and
- displays a lack of energy and sleepiness
- is vomiting (more than 3 times in the span of 24 hours)
- has rashes
- is bleeding through the gums or nose
- has unusual bruising
In some cases, dengue fever may be severe and symptoms may worsen. Severe dengue fever can be life-threatening. This happens when blood vessels become damaged and leak blood plasma. Platelet count and blood pressure can drop to dangerously low levels, leading to shock and in some cases, death.
Visit our 24-hour clinic if you or your child:
- has severe abdominal pain
- has persistent vomiting with dehydration
- is vomiting blood
- has bloody stools
- is bleeding from the nose or gums
- has rapid or difficult breathing
- experience giddiness or fainting spells
Here’s what you can do before arriving at the A&E (for adult and child):
- If experiencing fever, bring temperature down through sponging with a soaked cloth and take mild medication like paracetamol. Avoid using aspirin or ibuprofen, as they may increase the likelihood of bleeding.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.