Dengue usually starts with high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes and body ache. Many people recover at home within a week.
Go to a hospital the same day if you see
- Severe stomach pain or repeated vomiting
- Bleeding from the gums or nose, or blood in vomit or stool
- Very weak, restless or drowsy
- Cold hands and feet, or very little urine
These signs often appear when the fever starts to go down, around day 3 to 7. Do not wait.
At home
- Drink plenty of fluids: water, oral saline, soup, fresh juice
- Use paracetamol for fever, as advised by a doctor
- Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen unless a doctor tells you to take them
Which doctor to see
A medicine specialist treats dengue in adults. For children, see a pediatrician.