Signs and Symptoms

1) About 4 days after being infected, there is a sudden onset of high fever (104oF-105oF).
2) A flat red rash appears 2 to 5 days later which may cover the entire body except the face.
(picture : red spot)
3) Patients suffer headaches with severe pain behind the eyes.
4) Another common symptom is joint and muscle ache which is why dengue is also called
breakbone fever.
5) Other symptoms are swollen lymph nodes ,nausea and vomiting .
6) The symptoms last a week or more but the patient suffers fatigue for weeks afterwards.
7) The signs and symptoms of DHF initially are similar to that of dengue fever but soon
progresses to a more critical phase. Other frequently reported symptoms are :
a) Abdominal pain
b) petechiae- small red spots that do not disappear when the skin is pressed.
This is caused by broken capillaries.
c) Fluid accumulation in the chest and abdominal cavity
d) Severe bleeding from the gastro-intestinal tract, bleeding in the nose or gums
e) Black stools (faeces)
f) Decreased blood supply to vital organs
8) If not treated promptly, DHF has a high mortality rate, especially in children less than 10
years of age.

Treatment

There are no specific antibiotics for dengue fever. Patients have to be closely monitored and
given the following supportive treatments:

Bed rest
Fluids (either oral or intravenous) to prevent dehydration
Acetaminophen or paracetamol for high fever
Frequent sponging down of the body will help to bring the body temperature down .