Short answer
Dengue usually causes high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, body and joint pains, nausea and rash, and most people recover in 1 to 2 weeks. Severe dengue can start as the fever settles: watch for severe tummy pain, repeated vomiting, fast breathing, bleeding gums or nose, blood in vomit or stools, restlessness or cold, pale skin, and go to hospital immediately. Use paracetamol, not ibuprofen or aspirin.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Common symptoms
- High fever
- Severe headache and pain behind the eyes
- Muscle and joint pains
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen glands and a rash
Symptoms usually start 4 to 10 days after an infected mosquito bite and last 2 to 7 days. Many infected people have no symptoms at all.
Warning signs of severe dengue
These often appear after the fever has gone down, so keep watching even when the temperature falls:
- Severe tummy pain
- Vomiting that does not stop
- Fast breathing
- Bleeding gums or nose
- Blood in vomit or stools
- Extreme tiredness, restlessness or weakness
- Pale, cold skin
- Severe thirst
Anyone with these signs needs hospital care immediately. Call +91 90368 52311.
Care at home for mild dengue
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Use paracetamol for fever and pain, at the correct dose.
- Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory painkillers, as they increase the risk of bleeding.
- See a doctor for blood tests, which help confirm dengue and follow the platelet count.
Who is at higher risk
People who have had dengue before are at greater risk of severe dengue with a second infection. Babies, pregnant women, older people and people with long-term illnesses also need closer watching.
Preventing dengue
- Avoid mosquito bites, especially during the day, when dengue mosquitoes bite most.
- Empty or cover water stored in tanks, buckets, coolers, pots and old tyres, where mosquitoes breed.
- Wear long sleeves and use mosquito repellent and screens or nets.
At Dhruva Hospitals
Our physicians and paediatricians treat dengue in adults and children, with blood tests in our laboratory, a 24/7 emergency team and an ICU for severe cases.
Common questions
Does papaya leaf juice cure dengue?
There is no specific medicine that cures dengue. Treatment is careful monitoring, fluids and paracetamol. Do not delay seeing a doctor in favour of home remedies.
Is a low platelet count always dangerous?
Platelets often fall in dengue. Your doctor decides how serious it is from your symptoms, the warning signs and repeated blood tests, not from one number alone.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.