Dengue is a febrile illness caused by a virus that can cause symptoms such as high fever, headache and/or body pain, red spots on the skin, nausea and, in some cases, abdominal pain, drowsiness or bleeding.
This virus is transmitted by mosquitoes Temples of the Egyptiansas well as zika and chikungunya, and although it is caused by a different type of virus, the symptoms caused by the dengue virus can be easily confused with these diseases.
Read too: Dengue, Zika or Chikungunya: what’s the difference?
If dengue is suspected, it is recommended to consult an infectious disease specialist or general practitioner. In most cases, treatment only involves medications such as analgesics and antipyretics, as well as rest and hydration, to alleviate symptoms.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of dengue are:
- High fever, above 39ºC;
- Headache and/or pain behind the eyes;
- Indisposition;
- Pain in the body and/or joints;
- Red spots on the skin;
- Loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting;
- Diarrhea.
Fever is usually the first symptom of dengue and lasts between 2 and 7 days. It is usually associated with other symptoms, such as headache, diarrhea and nausea, which are also common in the initial phase of dengue.
Between the 3rd and 7th day of illness, most people with dengue begin to notice an improvement in their fever and other symptoms. However, during this period dengue fever can progress to a phase of greater risk of severity in some cases, known as the critical phase.
In the critical phase, the person may experience symptoms, such as abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or drowsiness, which indicate a greater risk of developing dengue hemorrhagic fever, and it is recommended to seek an emergency room for evaluation if they occur. See the symptoms of classic and hemorrhagic dengue.
Online symptom test
To find out the chances of having dengue fever, please select the symptoms you present below:
This test is only a guidance tool and, therefore, is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with an infectious disease specialist or general practitioner.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever symptoms
Dengue hemorrhagic fever can cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, mental confusion or seizures, which are more frequent in the critical phase of dengue and can put the person’s life at risk. Understand better what dengue hemorrhagic fever is and the symptoms.
Dengue symptoms in babies and children
In babies and children, dengue fever initially causes no symptoms. However, in some cases there may be high fever, irritability, drowsiness and loss of appetite, and it is important that the pediatrician is consulted, especially when symptoms appear during a period of increase in dengue cases in the region. Know how to recognize dengue fever in children.
Difference between dengue, Zika and Chikungunya
Both dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are viral diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, but their symptoms present some differences.
While in dengue the fever is high and is always present, in Zika the fever may be present but is low, and in Chikungunya the fever is high and starts suddenly.
Furthermore, dengue can cause moderate joint pain, while Zika can cause mild pain and Chikungunya can cause severe joint pain. Know how to differentiate the symptoms of dengue, Zika and Chikungunya.
Read too: How to differentiate dengue and COVID-19 (symptoms and what to do)
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of dengue is normally made by an infectious disease specialist or general practitioner based on the symptoms and results of blood tests, such as a blood count or tests to identify the dengue virus. Discover the main tests to find out if it is dengue.
If you want to make an appointment, you can find the infectious disease specialist closest to you using the tool below:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
Furthermore, in some cases the doctor may also recommend other tests, such as measuring TGO, TGP, urea or creatinine in the blood and a chest x-ray, to assess the severity of dengue.
What causes dengue
Dengue is caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquito bites Temples of the Egyptians. There are 5 different types of dengue virus, which are known as DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4 and DENV-5. Find out more details about the types of dengue virus.
How transmission happens
The main form of transmission of the dengue virus is through mosquito bites Temples of the Egyptians after being infected by the virus while feeding on the blood of a sick person.
Although it is rarer, dengue can also be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy or at the time of birth, if the mother is sick, and through blood transfusions, organ transplants or accidents with contaminated needles. Understand better how dengue is transmitted.
Read too: Dengue during pregnancy: main risks, prevention and treatment
How the treatment is carried out
Most of the time, dengue treatment involves the use of antipyretic medications, analgesics and/or antiemetics to alleviate symptoms and measures such as rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Thus, the body tends to eliminate the virus naturally.
However, especially in the most serious cases, treatment may need to be carried out with the person admitted to hospital, which may involve the injection of serum directly into the vein and/or blood or platelet transfusions, for example. Check out more details about dengue treatment.
Read too: Indicated and contraindicated remedies for dengue fever
Home treatment for dengue fever
For home treatment of dengue fever, it is recommended to maintain an adequate diet, preferring light and easily digestible foods, in addition to avoiding physical exertion and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Furthermore, some home remedies, such as chamomile or mint tea, may also be recommended to complement the treatment advised by your doctor, as they have properties that can help alleviate dengue symptoms. Find out how to relieve dengue symptoms at home.
What to eat in case of dengue
During the period of dengue symptoms, it is important to pay attention to your diet to promote recovery. Therefore, it is recommended that the diet is rich in protein and iron, as these nutrients play a fundamental role in preventing anemia and strengthening the immune system. Additionally, it is important to increase your fluid consumption to avoid dehydration.
On the other hand, it is essential to avoid consuming foods that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as pepper, ginger and red fruits, which can interfere with blood clotting and intensify dengue symptoms. See more details on what nutrition should be like for dengue fever.
Possible complications of dengue
Dengue complications can occur mainly in severe cases of the disease. Some of the most common complications are dengue hemorrhagic fever and severe dehydration, as well as respiratory, neurological, liver, kidney and heart problems. Check out the main complications of dengue.
What is recovery like?
In most cases, recovery from dengue fever takes around a week after the onset of symptoms. After the fever disappears, which usually happens between the 3rd and 7th day of dengue fever, symptoms tend to gradually improve.
Read too: What is dengue fever and how long does it last
Dengue prevention
To prevent dengue, measures such as:
- Use repellents on the most exposed parts of the bodysuch as arms and legs;
- Put screens on windows and doorsto prevent mosquitoes from entering the home;
- Avoid leaving doors and/or windows open at the beginning or end of the daywhich is the period in which the mosquito is most active;
- Use mosquito nets on your bed to sleepto protect yourself from mosquito bites;
- Prefer clothes with long sleeves and pantsto cover the most exposed parts of the body.
However, the best way to prevent dengue fever is to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes, which can be done by eliminating sources of stagnant water, such as in plant pots, buckets, tires and plastic bottles, in which mosquitoes can enter. reproduce. Check out the main measures to prevent dengue.
When to get the dengue vaccine?
The Qdenga dengue vaccine is recommended for people aged 4 to 60 years who have never had dengue fever or who have previously been infected.
This vaccine is made available free of charge by the SUS and administered in health centers. Find out how and where to get the dengue vaccine.
