Dengue Fever Symptoms

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection common in tropical and subtropical regions. After being bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito, symptoms usually appear within 4–10 days. Classic dengue symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain (often called “breakbone fever”), rash, nausea, and mild bleeding such as nose or gum bleeding. While many cases are mild, dengue can progress to severe dengue, which is a life-threatening emergency.

• Cause: Infection with any of four dengue virus types, transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
• Risk factors:

Living in or traveling to tropical or subtropical regions where dengue is endemic

Previous dengue infection (raises risk of severe dengue due to immune response)

Lack of mosquito protection (no repellents, standing water near home)

Infants, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma) are more vulnerable to complications

Most dengue fevers improve within a week, but urgent care is needed if you develop warning signs after the fever subsides, such as:

• Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
• Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or blood in vomit/stool
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• Cold, clammy skin, extreme fatigue, or restlessness

These may indicate severe dengue, requiring hospitalization.