What Is Dengue Fever? Symptoms, Causes, and How to Treat It

LoveSilhouette/iStock via Getty Images

Every year, up to 400 million people get the dengue virus, which causes symptoms of dengue fever in about 100 million people. People can get the dengue virus if the Aedes mosquito bites them. Luckily, the dengue virus doesn't usually circulate in the U.S. So, you don't have to worry about getting it, if you get bitten by a mosquito while at home. But, in many tropical countries in Southeast Asia, Central Africa, Oceania (including the Pacific Islands), and the Americas, the dengue virus is endemic, which means it's always around.

If you're traveling outside the U.S., here's what you should know about dengue fever.

What is dengue fever (breakbone fever)?

Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is the illness caused by the dengue virus. There are four types of dengue virus. Each type is spread to humans through mosquito bites.

Not everyone who gets the dengue virus will get sick, though. And, for most people who do get sick, dengue fever is a mild illness that resolves by itself.

Rarely, dengue can cause severe illness, which can be life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of dengue fever?

Symptoms from dengue fever typically start 4 to 10 days after a mosquito bite. Symptoms usually last between 2 to 7 days.

Most people who get infected may not realize they have symptoms at all. Or, they may have very mild symptoms, like:

• A low fever

• Mild aches and pains

• Mild fatigue

About 25% of people with the virus will have more noticeable symptoms, such as:

• Fever (which can be as high as 104°F)

• Severe bone or joint pain

• Rash

• Body aches

• Pain behind the eyes

• Nausea and vomiting

• Low appetite

About 5% of people infected with dengue can develop severe symptoms. Severe dengue can be life threatening. Severe disease is more common in:

• Infants and children

• People who are immunocompromised

• People who are pregnant

How does dengue fever spread?

Dengue fever spreads through the Aedes mosquito. This mosquito also spreads Zika virus.

The Aedes mosquito gets the virus from biting people who have dengue. Then, when the mosquito bites another person, it passes the virus to that person's bloodstream. So, people and mosquitoes are constantly passing dengue virus back and forth. This means dengue virus will probably be around as long as this type of mosquito is around.

Is dengue fever contagious?

No, dengue fever is typically spread when an infected mosquito bites you - not from a person with dengue fever.

However, there are limited exceptions. It's possible for a person who's pregnant to pass dengue fever to their unborn child. Rarely, dengue can be transmitted by infected bodily fluids, including through sexual contact.

Where is dengue fever commonly found?

The Aedes mosquito lives in warm, tropical places all over the world, including many countries in Southeast Asia, Central Africa, Oceania (including Pacific Islands), and the Americas.

Places in the Americas where dengue virus is almost always actively passing between humans and mosquitoes include:

• Puerto Rico

• U.S. Virgin Islands

• Most Caribbean nations (except Anguilla, Bermuda, and Montserrat)

• Most nations in Central America (except parts of Mexico)

• Most nations in South America (except parts of Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay)

This virus isn't commonly found in the U.S. But it can happen, since the Aedes mosquito lives in certain parts of the country. Cases of dengue virus have been reported in Hawaii, Texas, Florida, and the Florida Keys.

How can I lower my chances of getting dengue fever?

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. - especially to warmer climates - you should take precautions to keep yourself from getting mosquito bites. Dengue isn't the only illness you can get from mosquitoes. There are others, too, like malaria, Zika, and yellow fever.

Here are three steps you can take to prevent mosquito bites.

1. Use mosquito repellent

It's best to use mosquito repellents that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved. Check the active ingredient on the back of your repellent to make sure it has one of the following:

• DEET (up to 30%)

• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)

• Picaridin

• 2-undecanone

• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)

Make sure to apply repellent on exposed skin surfaces whenever you go outside. Mosquitos are active during the morning and the daytime - not just at night.

Here's what to know about repellant safety for children:

• OLE and PMD aren't safe for kids younger than 3 years old.

• There aren't any approved insect repellents for children younger than 2 months old.

2. Keep yourself covered

If possible, wear long sleeves and pants when you're outside. You can spray your clothes and gear with mosquito repellent, too.

At night, use mosquito nets over your bed. If you can, keep doors and windows closed. If that's not an option, a screen covering is also helpful. But make sure screens over windows, doors, and porches are in place and free of breaks or rips.

You can also place mosquito netting over cribs and strollers to keep babies safe. Make sure the netting is properly attached, so it doesn't come loose and become a strangulation hazard.

3. Drain standing water

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water - and it doesn't take much water, either. A single mosquito can lay hundreds or thousands of eggs in even a small puddle.

To reduce this problem:

• Empty standing water from plastic pools, toys, buckets, flowerpots, or other outdoor containers where rain or sprinkler water has collected.

• Empty birdbaths and pet water bowls a few times a week.

• Don't let water collect in tarps over pools and boats.

• Keep swimming pools chlorinated properly, so mosquitoes can't lay their eggs there.

Is there a vaccine for dengue fever?

There are a few dengue vaccines, but not all are recommended or available for people living in the U.S.

The only vaccine approved for use in the U.S. is Dengvaxia. It's approved for children aged 9 to 16 who've already had dengue (as confirmed by a blood test) and who live in U.S. territories where dengue is common. According to the CDC, Dengvaxia is being discontinued and will no longer be available.

Two other dengue vaccines exist, but neither is currently available in the U.S.

How do you treat dengue fever?

There's no treatment that can cure dengue fever. Symptoms usually last 2 to 7 days. In the meantime, the following things can help you feel better:

• Get some rest

• Drink fluids

• Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever and pain

Young children and people who are pregnant are more likely to get severe symptoms and will need to be followed more closely by a healthcare professional.

What should I do if I think I have dengue fever?

If you think you could have dengue fever, see a healthcare professional. If you recently traveled to an area where dengue fever is common, make sure you let them know. They might send a blood test to the lab to look for the virus.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.