Overview

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness caused by the dengue virus and transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. It is common in tropical and subtropical regions and can range from a mild flu-like illness to a severe, life-threatening condition. Early recognition and appropriate medical care are important to reduce complications.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito and may include:

  • Sudden high fever

  • Severe headache

  • Pain behind the eyes

  • Muscle and joint pain

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Skin rash

  • Fatigue and weakness

  • Mild bleeding such as nose or gum bleeding

Causes

Dengue fever is caused by infection with one of the four types of dengue virus:

  • Bite from an infected Aedes mosquito

  • Exposure in areas with active dengue transmission

  • Previous infection with a different dengue virus type, which may increase severity

Risk Factors

Certain factors increase the risk of contracting dengue fever:

  • Living in or traveling to tropical or subtropical regions

  • Poor mosquito control measures

  • Stagnant water around living areas

  • Lack of protective clothing or mosquito repellents

  • Previous dengue infection

Complications

In some cases, dengue fever can progress to severe dengue:

  • Dengue hemorrhagic fever

  • Dengue shock syndrome

  • Severe bleeding

  • Plasma leakage leading to fluid accumulation

  • Organ damage

  • Low platelet count

Prevention

Preventive measures focus on avoiding mosquito bites and controlling mosquito populations:

  • Using mosquito repellents

  • Wearing long-sleeved clothing

  • Sleeping under mosquito nets

  • Eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed

  • Using window screens and insecticides

  • Community-based mosquito control programs

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