Dengue Fever – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosing dengue can be tricky because symptoms like high fever, rash, muscle pain, severe headache, and nausea also appear in other illnesses such as Zika, chikungunya, and malaria.
Doctors review a patient’s travel history, recent mosquito exposure, and symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, or bleeding.
Laboratory tests include:
| Diagnostic Method | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Blood Tests | Detect dengue virus or antibodies |
| NAAT/RT-PCR | Identify viral genetic material in the acute phase |
| Serologic testing | Find antibodies during the convalescent phase |
Doctors use these tests to confirm dengue fever or severe dengue.
Options for Managing Dengue
Doctors have not found a specific cure for dengue fever. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms and helping the body recover.
Staying hydrated is very important. Drink fluids like water, juice, or clear soups to prevent dehydration. Doctors may suggest acetaminophen to lower fever and relieve body aches.
Avoid painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium because they can increase bleeding risk in dengue patients.
| Treatment Option | Safe to Use? |
|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | ✔ Yes |
| Aspirin / Ibuprofen / NSAIDs | ✘ No |
People with severe dengue may need hospital care. Doctors may give IV fluids, electrolyte replacement, blood pressure monitoring, or sometimes blood transfusions for serious blood loss.
A dengue vaccine exists, but doctors use it mainly for prevention and only for certain people based on age, health, and location.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take Beforehand
List Symptoms: Write down every symptom, even minor ones.
Personal and Travel Details: Record recent international trips, especially to places with Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Include dates, countries, and any vaccines or medicines you took.
Medication List: Bring a list of all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you currently take.
Prepare Questions: Make a list of important questions to ask your healthcare provider.
| Question | Purpose |
| What could be causing my symptoms? | To understand possible causes, such as a mosquito-borne viral infection. |
| Will I need blood tests? | To check for dengue or similar illnesses spread by Aedes mosquitoes. |
| What are the treatment options? | To learn about supportive care for conditions like dengue. |
| How soon can I expect to feel better? | To set recovery expectations. |
| Could there be long-term effects? | To know about post-illness concerns for adults, children, or pregnant women. |
| Are there prevention resources? | To get information on using insect repellent, DEET, and mosquito netting. |
- Bring Important Documents: Have immunization records and any details about medical care you received during recent travel.
How the Doctor May Guide the Appointment
- The healthcare provider will likely ask when your symptoms began. They may also ask whether your symptoms are ongoing or come and go.
They may ask if anything makes your symptoms better or worse.
Expect questions about recent trips. The provider may ask if you visited regions where mosquito-borne diseases like dengue or Zika virus are common.
The doctor may ask if you, your children, or anyone in your group got bitten by mosquitoes. They may also ask if you used insect repellent or mosquito netting.
The provider may discuss specific risks for groups such as pregnant women. They may give advice on preventing infections from Aedes mosquitoes.
Be ready to share if you had recent contact with someone who became sick after traveling.
