Prioritise Dengue Fever Prevention

Dengue Symptoms and Prevention

Dengue and severe dengue can present with a range of symptoms [1]

Dengue signs and symptoms  

Many travellers might not be aware that, according to the World Health Organisation, those presenting with a high fever and any two of the below symptoms could have a dengue infection:[1]

  • Sever Headache Icon
    Severe headache
  • Swollen glands icon
    Swollen glands
  • Rash Icon
    Rash
  • Muscle and Joint Pain Icon
    Muscle and joint pain
  • Pain behind Eyes Icon
    Pain behind the eyes
  • Nausea and Vomiting Icon
    Nausea and vomiting

As the symptoms of dengue can be diverse, laboratory or point-of-care diagnostics are often recommended in conjunction with assessment of clinical presentation to achieve an accurate diagnosis.[2]

Severe dengue signs and symptoms

According to the World Health Organisation, those presenting with any of the below symptoms following a high fever could have severe dengue infection:[1]

  • Severe Abdominal Pain Icon
    Severe abdominal pain
  • Persistent Vomiting Icon
    Persistent vomiting
  • Rapid Breathing Icon
    Rapid breathing
  • Bleeding Nose Icon
    Bleeding gums or nose
  • Fatigue Icon
    Fatigue
  • Restlessness Icon
    Restlessness
  • Liver Enlargement Icon
    Liver enlargement
  • Blood in Vomit or Stool Icon
    Blood in vomit or stool

As the symptoms of dengue can be diverse, laboratory or point-of-care diagnostics are often recommended in conjunction with assessment of clinical presentation to achieve an accurate diagnosis.[2]

Icon showing three people, one person highlighted in blue

1/3 of people ill with dengue had reported having post-infection fatigue 2 months after the acute infection[3] n=158

The effects of dengue can often persist even after returning home from a trip; in one study, around 1 in 3 (32%) people ill with dengue had post-infection fatigue two months after the acute infection. [3]

“Post dengue fatigue syndrome” comprises a spectrum of complex symptoms ranging from fatigue, muscle weakness and variable neurological abnormalities. [4]

How to help travellers prevent Dengue

A spray bottle of insect repellent

Apply insect repellent regularly to all areas of exposed skin [5,6]

A long sleeved shirt

Wear loose, protective clothing [5,6]

A close up of a mosquito resting on a net

Bed nets and screens on windows and doors can help keep mosquitoes away when indoors [6, 7]

A bucket of water

Discourage mosquitos by being conscious of water containers in and around accommodation, and by keeping them clean and empty to decrease egg laying [6]

Plug in device that deters mosquitos

Insecticide plug-ins and room sprays should be used to protect from mosquitoes indoors [7]

Air conditioning units

Use air conditioning, where possible [7]

A close up of a hand holding a syringe

According to WHO, vaccination should be considered as part of an integrated dengue prevention and control strategy [1]

It’s time to talk to travellers about dengue 

Download this free factsheet to help you to answer the most common queries about dengue

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A doctor talking to his patient

Where is dengue?

Find detailed information and a country-by-country breakdown on dengue prevalence.

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Understand the risks

Make sure you understand the risks to your travellers, who is at higher risk of severe dengue.

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Want to know more?

Sign-up to TakedaID to stay informed about dengue and help you advise travellers.

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GB & NI: Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

ROI: Adverse events should be reported to the Pharmacovigilance Unit at the Health Products Regulatory Authority. Reporting forms and information can be found at: www.hpra.ie. 

GB, NI and ROI: Adverse events should also be reported to Takeda UK Ltd at: AE.GBR-IRL@takeda.com 

References

  1. WHO. Dengue and severe dengue factsheets. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue [Accessed January 2023].   
  2. Muller DA, et al. Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Dengue Virus Infection. J Infect Dis. 2017;215(S2):S89–95.  
  3. Sigera PC, et al. Dengue and post-infection fatigue: findings from a prospective cohort—the Colombo Dengue Study. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2021;115(6):669–676.  
  4. Umakanth M. Post Dengue Fatigue Syndrome (PDFS) among Dengue IgM-Antibody Positive Patients at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Open Access Library Journal. 2018;5:1-6.    
  5. Public Health Scotland. Fit for Travel: Dengue. Available at: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/dengue-fever [Accessed January 2023].  
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avoid Dengue by Preventing Mosquito Bites. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/avoid-dengue.html  [Accessed January 2023]. 
  7. NHS: Fit For Travel. Mosquito Bite Avoidance. Available at: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria/mosquito-bite-avoidance. [Accessed January 2023].  

C-APROM/GB/DENV/0021 | Date of preparation: March 2023