Dengue: When should one seek medical advice?

Complications of dengue fever generally occur after 3-5 days of fever. The fever is usually down in most patients by now. This may give a false sense of security and leads the patient and caregiver to believe that the person is heading towards recovery. You have to be very cautious in this period.

Seek medical attention immediately if you have:

• Bleeding from nose or gums, or bleeding from any other site
• Red spots or purplish patches on the skin
• Blood in vomiting or black colored stools,
• Frequent vomiting, severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty in breathing, lethargy, drowsiness, confusion or seizures
• Pale, cold or clammy hands and feet

Most patients with dengue fever recover without any sequel or complications. The fatality rate of dengue fever is less than 1%. The mortality rate may be higher in children. Complications of dengue fever generally occur after 3-5 days of fever.

Read articles and Understand dengue