Dengue Fever Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention
Dengue fever is the most common mosquito spread disease with around 100 million cases occurring annually. It is found in most tropical and subtropical regions and is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no evidence of person to person transmission and the disease is rarely fatal. Travellers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites when travelling to high risk areas. See your doctor immediately if you present the typical symptoms of dengue fever.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever
Typical symptoms of dengue fever include:
- fever
- headache
- sore muscles
- nausea
- vomiting
- rash
Treatment for Dengue Fever
The main treatment for dengue fever is to encourage the intake of food and especially fluids. This may be supplemented with intravenous fluids if necessary.
Dengue Fever Vaccine
There is no clinically proven vaccine available for the prevention of dengue fever. It is therefore important that travellers to high risk areas take precautions to prevent infection.
Prevention of Dengue Fever
As there is no vaccine available to prevent dengue fever, people in high risk areas are advised to protect themselves against infection by avoiding mosquito bites. Mosquitos carrying dengue fever typically bite during the day, especially at dawn and dusk. Avoid getting bitten by wearing clothing which protects the skin and by using insect repellents on exposed skin. It is also recommended to remove all potential breeding sites for mosquitos such as still water found in containers, pots, and old tyres.
High Risk Destinations
Dengue fever can be found in any tropical or subtropical area and is most prevalent during the warm and humid seasons. Mosquitos infected with the dengue fever virus can be found in both rural and urban areas including major cities. The highest risk is for travellers visiting South East Asia and Central and South America. In Australia, the risk is mainly confined to northern Queensland including Cairns and Townsville as well as the Torres Strait Islands.
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I have had Dengue fever and now post Dengue. I 1st saw a doctor in Bali on the 19/1/2008 and in Perth it took a few long weeks to find out what I had.Please advise GP’s in Perth where and what they should do if people come back from overseas sick. Its a long and very sad road I am taking. Its now been 13 weeks and have no answer as to when I will be able to return to work or even get my energy back. If you would like some info please email me on johnabbott@iprimus.com.au
Heather
Is the severity of this disease related to age?
I am due to go to Cairns in the next week and I am
aged 75 What are my risks?
Many thanks, TC.
just got back from cairns with dengue fever. I am 73 – my advice cancel your trip. It is quite horrible and has now lasted 3 weeks. very debilitating – if you get it there is no holiday. mary v
i feel like never going outside again incase i catch dengue but we’re not in a high risk zone but probably will be soon. it sounds horrible but im still going for a walk every afternoon.
Im 13 this year, i got dengue fever when i was 11, i had the fever and all, the school that i go to has a bali trip for 7 days for the year 8′s, i got my fever when i was in bali so i might not be able to go, i was hoping there was a vaccine but there isnt is there any other precautions i could take???
Gemma.
My neighbour is in her 70′s and I think this is what she has. Very stubborn person, hard to get her to the Doctors. Am interested in the symptoms, age related comments.
Hi i just got back from cairns today feeling quite sick all my body aches i dont have a fever or rash i have headaches n dizzyness does this sound like dengue fever?
It’s impossible to say but I definitely recommend you see a doctor as soon as possible.
it is always a good thing to go to the docters the first time you feel sick idont want dengue fever
The best precaution is wearing a mozzy repellent. We live in North Queensland beside a river. Even though it’s not the nicest feeling I make sure me and both my girls are covered in mozzy repellent the whole day – just like putting on sunscreen really … habit.
Just go back from Bali three weeks ago. Got sick in the first week back with what the doctor thought was influenza. Went back twice more and he put it down to
me being 49, ie hormonal and possibly going through menopause. I was pretty annoyed as I know how i felt.
I was aching all over, having hot and cold sweats, feeling dizzy, very listless,shocking nausia and my lympth glands came up under my arms and were really sore. Plus I had a bad headache. Just got back from my ususal doctor who said straight away, dengue fever. who informed me Dengue fever was rife in Bali at the moment.
Just got back from Bali a week ago, Yesterday i felt a little flu-like but i put it down to the flu shot i had the previous day. I felt fine this morning but i have just broken out in a really bad rash that is spreading from my neck down my back. I am heading to the GP now.
Hope its not dengue fever, but thanks for all the info, at the least I can ask my GP to rule it out.
To people travelling to Cairns. Yes the dengue is rife up here however very simple precautions will help you avoid it. A can of Bushmans repellant . Also a can of fly/mozzie spray will do wonders to where ever your staying. The local and state governments have spent alot of money in the last 8 months and the numbers of people catching dengue has declined. 99.9 percent of locals have adhered to the blanket advertising and have cleaned up there properties, however, Cairns is surrounded by Mangroves so the turn over of mozzies is quite high. Also most cases have occured at the “Northern Beaches”. Take the few simple precautions and I’ll guarantee you’ll have a great trip with the chances of catching Dengue kept to a minimal.
i live in south australia never been out of the state, but for the last month, on and off have been having a fever, nausea, joint aches, stomach noises (and the usual that goes with it) not wanting to eat, severe headache, very heavy periods, when i clean my teeth, theres always blood when i spit, and always tired….just when i think its gone, a week later, there it is again…..?
You should definitely see a doctor if you are suffering from the symptoms you mentioned.
if there is a possibility i have it and its not treated, with it just go away?
I am not a doctor plus it’s impossible to determine what condition you may or may not have based on what you have written in one comment.
Why would you hesitate to visit your doctor if you are ill?
its just that it goes away and comes back again, so prob just some stupid virus that hasnt been named yet….. but i will go to the docs….
I got home from a week in Balio on 25 April. The next day I felf like I had been hit by a truck and then reversed over. I had a very high fever, severe headache, a cough, vomitting and diarrohea and after a few hours a very fine, pink rash spread from head to toe. I went to the hospital were the doctor immediately diagsnosed Dengue Fever. My blood pressure also was high to start with then dropped really low after a few hours.
For a week I was unable to do anything, barely functioning. It has now been over 3 weeks and I am still struggling to function normally. I tire very easily and am constantly nauseous. I used to be a very fit, active person and now stuggle just to get through the day without needing a sleep. As for exercise, forget it.
I have lived in Cairns since 1985 and until now have avoided Dengue. I moved away for 9 months and returned on June 12. My Welcome Home package included more than I bargained for! I seem to have had all the symptoms except the rash, but may just have been too ill to notice. I first experienced headache, chills and aches on June 26. I improved after a couple of days then the beast returned with a vengeance, knocking me flat on my back for 4-5 days. The aches and chills have gone but I’ve had nearly a week of malaise, lethargy, lack of energy and vague nausea. I’m waiting for it to disappear as I have to reurn to the classroom next week! Can’t imagine how I’ll handle feeling like this indefinitely!
Ive just returned from a Bali holiday and felt sick within 4 days of being home. Immediate rash on arms and then spread to whole body, severe headaches, extreme pain behind eyes, horrendous back pain, 39.5 temp, nausea, dizzyness. Spent 5 days in hospital, diagnosed with Dengue Fever. Have been out for 5 days now… feeling little better, body pain and headaches are better but have extreme lethargy, cold, swollen hands and feet, some dizzyness, weightloss, last blood tests showed my liver was not functioning too well. Can anyone tell me how long until I feel normal again? Normally a very fit 41 year old who teaches fitness classes… I feel this is going to be a long road… HELP ANYONE?
I came back from Thailand on September 7th, 2009 after a wonderful holiday and five days later came down with flu-like symtoms. severe headach, nausea, bone and muscle ache and high temperatures. I saw my doctor and he diagnosed viral flue and sent me home to bed. Three days later I came out in a red rash and my liver was aching. I still had the fluctuating temperatures, head ache and nausea. I went back to my Doctor who then diagnosed Dengue fever and explained that there was no treatment and that I would have to ride it out. It took three weeks for me to get better and even then I had no energy and was tired most of the time. I live in South Africa.
My daughter is currently in a Bangkok hospital with suspected Dengue Fever. If its confirmed will the airlines allow her to fly home to Melbourne? How long does it take to get over this disease?
Heather here, I made a comment in April 2009 just advising I am much better, 18 months down the track but still get very tired and still have pains in my joints etc. If your new to this illness be strong and rest you will get there
Sorr,y that date was 2008
My daughter 36yo has been unwell for about seven months or more after coming back from Cairns where dengue fever had broken out.
No rashes, just recuring fevers, feeling freezing cold,debilitating pains in joints(hips and back) vomiting, white blood cell count up, blood pressure down,attacks occure 2 to 3 times a week and last from half an hour to one and a half hours, Been in hospital for a week having all sorts of tests, Could this be dengue fever.Worried sick 18/ 12 / 09
went to bali 2 years ago returned with very bad flu symptoms no rash but still suffering bad side effects could this be dengue fever even to years later.
Our son returned from Central Java after a two week holiday. Within a day of being home he was feeling flu like symptoms, difficulty moving his eyes and a headache within hours he was vomiting and aching in his muscles and a fever. This went on for three days, we then had the rash appear over his face and upper torso. Bad back pain and muscle burning, low blood pressure. We had to put him into hospital for 3 days for intrivenious drips. His blood platelet levels where also dropping each day. After 7 days he began to feel better but it has taken 4 weeks of total bed rest. Today he went for his first surf in a month, was able to keep up with the regulars and came home feeling fine. It is important when having any of the above mentioned symptoms to see your doctor immediately. We believe this has been the secret to our sons quick recovery. We had him at the travel doctors within a day of becoming sick. He was diagnosed straight away with Dengue and was treated for the symptoms immediately.
hi me again i went to bali 2 years ago came back to perth with what i thought was really bad flu even now 2 years on i am still having relapses were i will be well then get sick again, can anybody else identify with this or can give me any other help on what or how long this goes for, ive never been tested for this can someone who has had it explain the symptoms they had i am loosing patience with getting relapses all the time thanx faye
@Faye – is there any reason you have seen a doctor about this?
Anyone who suspects they have dengue fever or any serious illness is encouraged to seek medical attention immediately.
hi andrea yes i have seen doctors ,specialists and have spent 3 weeks in hospital having tests this started end of 2007 on return from bali however i was never tested for this dengue fever all other tropical diseases though that is why i was asking the questions!!!!!!!!!!! cheers faye
Hi Andrea and all, if you have these symptoms and go to the doctors what do the doctors recommend if there is no vaccine or cure for this disease? Just interested in what they recommend to do as a treatment.
The main treatment for dengue fever is to encourage the intake of food and especially fluids. This may be supplemented with intravenous fluids if necessary.
So It’s your immune system that overcomes dengue fever!
hi andrea just wondering are you a doctor or nurse ? hi allan welcome to the site are you sick with dengue fever , or just interested in the topic?. like heather said i dont think drs in perth no to much about it or how to treat people with it and that goes for any other tropical disease you bring back from your travels.we seem to lag behind the rest of the world here…….
Faye – the information provided here is meant as a general guideline.
As has been mentioned numerous times, if you are unwell, we recommend you see your GP as soon as possible.
If you suspect you may have a travel related disease we suggest you see a travel doctor such as one of the doctors here at the East Perth Medical Centre.
hi heather thanx alot for the imformation it was a real help. hi andrea just so you no i have been to the travel doctor in perth no help what so ever,but thanx for the advice much appreciated i will keep on searching
Hi Ladies, no I don’t have the symptoms, I travel to indo regularly, so just interested, I have an interest in a bar in Bali and one of our staff(male) has been off for a month with the symptoms. They just say hot with no power, I will ask about the rash.
Faye, did you see one of the doctors here at the East Perth Medical Centre? It what way were they no help? They weren’t able to treat you?
hi andrea i saw travel doctor in perth she basically asked me what other drs had said wrote down alot of stuff shrugged and said she didnt no, sent me off with some worm tablets and $200 later i walked out with nothing.so this has happened heaps of times so forgive me if i seem a bit skeptical about doctors its been 2 long years with no answers and all since returning from bali. however im sure one day the answer will turn up about what i acctually picked up from there. cheers faye
Faye, if your doctor wasn’t able to diagnose or treat your symptoms, it’s important that you get another opinion until you find a solution. You can’t let an illness go untreated and posting on the internet really isn’t going to help.
I strongly suggest you make an appointment with another doctor and work with them to help you.
Good luck.
hi allan having a bar in bali how good is that sounds great to me,hope your member of staff starts to feel better real soon,or they find out what it is real soon.cheers faye
Hi Faye,
I left a post on here a few days ago about our manager in Bali contracting a virus but it seems to have disappeared. Did you see it?
hi allan i did see it and also left a reply with my email address so i will give you the email address again and then you can contact me fayepurdue@hotmail.com so yeah can shift of this site now but if this disappears then will chat to you on here
hi andrea i took your advice and found new gp so hopefully he might have some answers cheers faye
hi read the post allan left email for you to contact me on did you get it ???
Hi Faye no I dint get get it, I guess this site is edited for some reason. My email allanfraser@gmail.com we will see if this goes too.
Dengue Fever Recovery,
Hi Guys!
There is no vaccine or typical medicine for the Dengue. Some times it takes a few weeks to a few months to recover. But try these…
1. Drink plenty of good water,
2. Eat enough fresh fruits, vegetables, and a little dairy.
3. Take vegetarian protein,
4. Play lawn tennis, (2 hours for 3 days a week)
5. If possible try to walk up the hilly trail.
These shall help to rejuvenate organs.
I was diagnosed with Dengue Fever in Nov 2008 after holidaying in Bali. After many blood tests i was finally diagnosed. I was only the 3rd case reported in Perth WA and the doctors didnt really know a lot about it. I have done most of the research myself.I had all the usual symptoms but the one that stood out for me was my orbital eye vision.Every time i moved my eyes it was very painful. I have heard that if you contract Dengue for a second time the fatality rate is quite high. Is this true? I have been to Bali 8 times and want to go back but need to find out how risky it is for me before i consider going back.
hi nicole how long did it take to get a diagnosis also did you have any other unusual symptoms as i have a new g.p thats working hard on the case and some imfo might help as he doesnt no much about it but any imfo i can give him he says will help him work things through cheers