DENGUE

Symptoms and Signs

CID: A90
Dengue is an acute, systemic and dynamic febrile disease, ranging from
asymptomatic cases to serious conditions, including deaths. In symptomatic
cases, it may present three clinical phases: febrile, critical and recovery.

The first manifestation is fever, generally above 38ºC, with sudden onset and
lasting 2 to 7 days, associated with headache, tiredness, myalgia, arthralgia,
retro-orbital pain or rash. As the fever subsides (between the 3rd and 7th day
after the onset of symptoms), most patients gradually recover.

However, some may progress to the critical phase of the disease, starting with
warning signs.

.
Dengue fever can progress to remission of symptoms, or it can worsen,
requiring constant reassessment and observation, so that interventions are
timely and deaths do not occur.
.

What are the symptoms of dengue?

The main symptoms of dengue are

 High fever > 38.5ºC.

 Intense muscle pain.
 Pain when moving the eyes.
 Malaise.
 Lack of appetite.
 Headache.
 Red spots on the body.

However, dengue infection can be asymptomatic (without symptoms), mild or

severe. In the latter case it can lead to death. Normally, the first manifestation of
dengue fever is high fever (39° to 40°C), with an abrupt onset, which generally
lasts 2 to 7 days, accompanied by headache, body and joint pain, as well as
prostration, weakness , pain behind the eyes, rash and itchy skin. Weight loss,
nausea and vomiting are common. In some cases it also presents red spots on
the skin.
In the initial febrile phase of dengue fever, it can be difficult to differentiate. The
severe form of the disease includes intense and continuous abdominal pain,
persistent vomiting and mucosal bleeding. When experiencing symptoms, it is
important to seek a health service for adequate diagnosis and treatment, all
offered comprehensively and free of charge through the Unified Health System
(SUS).

Dengue warning signs:

 Abdominal pain;
 Persistent vomiting;
 Fluid accumulation (ascites, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion);
 Postural hypotension and/or lipothymia;
 Lethargy and/or irritability;
 Hepatomegaly greater than 2cm below the costal margin;
 Mucosal bleeding and;
 Progressive increase in hematocrit.