Signs and Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Common Signs and Symptoms of dengue fever are
1) High Fever: up to 40°C or 104°F, typically sudden onset
2) Severe headache: Severe headache and pain behind the eyes (i.e., retro-orbital pain)
3) Muscle, Joint & bone Pain often called “breakbone-fever”
4) nausea, vomiting and poor appetite
5) Rash (macular or maculopapular), which may appear early or towards the end of illness.
6) Swollen glands and general weakness.
7) Sore throat and mild respiratory symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of DHF & DSS
Most of the people recover within a week, but some progress to severe dengue like DHF & DSS. Symptoms of severe dengue often occur.
1) Persistent vomiting & severe abdominal pain
2) Rapid breathing or respiratory distress
3) Bleeding Manifestation: gums, nose, under the skin (petechiae), mouth, blood in vomit/stool/urine
4) Restlessness, fatigue, or lethargy.
5) Skin becomes pale, cold, or clammy
6) Sudden decrease in platelet count, increased hematocrit
7) Sign of fluid accumulation, circulatory collapse, or shock
8) Patient feels thirsty and mouth become dry
9) Rapid weak pulse
Phases of Dengue fever
| Sr. no. | Phase | Key features & symptoms |
| 1 | Febrile | High fever, headache, muscle and joint and bone pain, nausea, rash, weakness, red eyes, and sore throat. |
| 2 | Critical | Defervescence (fever drops) warning signs: abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, cold skin, and shock risk. |
| 3 | Recovery | Symptoms and lab parameters gradually return to baseline; fatigue may persist |
Dengue fever ranges from a mild viral fever-like illness to a severe, life-threatening disease. Immediate medical attention is needed for any warning signs, especially after the initial fever subsides.
When should someone with dengue seek emergency care
someone with dengue fever should seek emergency care immediately if any warning signs of severe dengue appear, especially in the 24-48 hours after the fever subsides
1) Severe abdominal pain or persistent belly tenderness
2) Vomiting three or more times in 24 hours
3) Bleeding from nose or gums or blood in vomit, stool, or urine (mucosal or gastrointestinal bleeding)
4) Difficulty breathing or rapid, shallow breaths
5) Restlessness, irritability, lethargy, confusion, or sudden drowsiness.
6) Cold, pale, clammy, or bluish skin (possible shock)
7) Rapidly rising hematocrit or sudden drop in platelet count.
8) Liver enlargement or pain in the upper right abdominal area
9) Extreme thirst, inability to take fluids, or decreased urination/urinary incontinence.
