Dengue
Overview
Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is an infection spread by mosquitoes. It's not usually serious and often gets better on its own. Some people get a more severe type of dengue, but this is rare.
Symptoms
Dengue does not always cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they usually start 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some dengue symptoms are similar toflu. They include: a high temperaturea severe headachepain behind your eyesmuscle and joint painfeeling or being sickswollen glandsa blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots – this can affect large areas of your body
Treatment
Most people with dengue feel better in a few days. There is no treatment for dengue, but you can help ease your symptoms by: restingdrinking plenty of fluidstakingparacetamolto help bring down your temperature and ease any pain Do not take anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin. These can cause bleeding problems if you have dengue. If you have severe dengue, you'll need to stay in hospital until you recover.
Prevention
If you're at increased risk of getting seriously ill from dengue, you should consider not travelling to countries where the infection is found. At-risk groups include those who: are very youngare olderare pregnanthave a weakened immune systemhave certain health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure or a condition that makes you bleed more easilyhave had dengue in the past If you're in a country where dengue is found, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET) use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET) close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide, including during the day sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide, including during the day There is a vaccine that helps protect against dengue. It's recommended for people who have had, or might have had, dengue in the past and are travelling to a part of the world where dengue is common. Get advice from a travel clinic if you're travelling to a part of the world where dengue is common. If you need the vaccine, you'll have to pay for it privately.