Dengue Fever Treatment

How is Dengue Fever treated?

Dengue fever is a viral illness caused by the dengue virus, which is passed to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. There is no specific antiviral medicine for dengue, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting the body while it recovers.

Most people with dengue can be cared for at home, but careful monitoring is important because the illness can sometimes become severe. With the right care, and prompt medical attention if warning signs appear, most people recover within one to two weeks.

How Dengue Fever Is Treated

The main approach is to rest, stay well hydrated and manage fever and pain. Your doctor will check how you are doing and may arrange blood tests to monitor your condition during the illness. Because dengue can change from one day to the next, regular follow-up with your doctor is an important part of care.

The Course of Dengue Fever

Dengue usually progresses through three phases. Knowing what to expect helps you recognise when to seek help.

Fever Phase

What Happens: A sudden high fever usually lasts for several days. It may come with headache, pain behind the eyes, body and joint aches, nausea or a rash.

What to Watch For: Dehydration, as fever and poor appetite can reduce how much you drink.

Critical Phase

What Happens: As the fever settles, usually around the third to seventh day, some people develop problems such as leakage of fluid from blood vessels and bleeding. This is when severe dengue can occur.

What to Watch For: Warning signs such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or bleeding. A fall in fever does not always mean you are getting better.

Recovery Phase

What Happens: Your body gradually reabsorbs fluid and you begin to feel better, although tiredness may continue for some time.

What to Take Note of: Rest, and attend follow-up visits as advised by your doctor.

Caring for Yourself at Home

• Rest: Get plenty of rest while your body recovers.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Water, juices and oral rehydration solutions help to prevent dehydration, which is a common complication of dengue.
• Manage fever and pain: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is usually recommended to reduce fever and relieve body aches. Follow the dose on the label or as advised by your doctor.
• Avoid certain painkillers: Aspirin and ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding, which is already a concern in dengue, and should be avoided.
• Keep track of how you feel: Note your temperature, how much you are drinking and passing urine, and any new symptoms, so that you can tell your doctor.
• Attend your follow-up visits: Your doctor may repeat blood tests to check how your illness is progressing.

When Hospital Care is Needed

Some patients need to be cared for in hospital, particularly if they develop warning signs. Treatment in hospital may include:

• Intravenous (IV) fluids to replace lost fluids and prevent dehydration
• Close monitoring of vital signs and blood tests
• Supportive measures to manage complications

Warning Signs: When to Seek Urgent Help

Please go to a doctor or emergency department immediately if you or someone you care for has any of the following:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Bleeding, such as from the nose or gums, blood in vomit or stool, or black stools
• Difficulty breathing
• Extreme tiredness, drowsiness or restlessness
• Cold, clammy skin

These signs can appear around the time the fever settles. You can call our 24-HR Medical Urgency Clinic at (65) 6705 2999 at any time.

Recovering from Denue

Most people recover within one to two weeks, though you may feel tired for some time afterwards. Return to your usual activities gradually, keep drinking plenty of fluids and continue to attend follow-up visits. Speak to your doctor if your symptoms return or worsen.

Preventing the Spread of Dengue

Dengue does not spread directly from person to person. It spreads when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites someone else. These steps help to protect you and others.

• Protect yourself from mosquito bites while unwell: If you have dengue, use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and rest under a mosquito net or in a screened or air-conditioned room, so that mosquitoes do not pick up the virus and spread it to others.
• Remove stagnant water: Aedes mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Empty water from flower pot plates, pails, vases and other containers regularly, and keep roof gutters clear.
• Use mosquito repellent: Apply repellent when outdoors, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when Aedes mosquitoes are most active.
• Watch for symptoms at home: If one person in a household has dengue, others may have been bitten by the same mosquitoes. See a doctor promptly if anyone else develops a fever.

With prompt care and proper monitoring, most patients recover fully from dengue within one to two weeks.