Dengue Fever Symptoms

How to Know
the Symptoms of Dengue

It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect Dengue fever. That is because, the Dengue virus is responsible for two different diseases—Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Also known as breakbone fever, O’nyong-nyong fever, dengue shock syndrome, Phillippine hemorrhagic fever, Thai hemorrhagic fever and Singapore hemorrhagic fever, the dengue virus can be fatal in its more severe form.

Because you really can’t tell Dengue fever from Dengue hemorrhagic fever when symptoms of Dengue first appear, and because Dengue can be confused with other diseases, you will need to have blood tests done to confirm the diagnosis.

If you suspect dengue symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

Difference Between Dengue Fever
and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

They are considered to be two separate diseases, but the true difference is in the level of illness.

Both diseases can make your very sick. Most people recover from Dengue fever, although dehydration can be a serious complication.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever, on the other hand, is a much more serious disease, and it can be fatal.

This is not a disease to be taken lightly!

Dengue Symptoms

It’s important to remember that you must be bitten by a mosquito, in an area where mosquitoes are infected, to get this disease.

Here are the dengue fever symptoms to watch for:

• Fever - Dengue fever starts with a sudden high fever. Fevers often run as high as 104-105 degrees F.

• Rash - A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body, 2-5 days after the fever starts. Later in the illness, a second rash that looks like a measles rash may appear. People who have sensitive skin can find the rashes quite irritating.

• Headache - behind the eyes

• Fatigue - like the flu, this disease makes the patient feel extremely tired.

• Joint aches

• Muscle aches

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Nausea and vomiting

• Bloody urine

In some respects, you might confuse dengue fever with a case of influenza or seasonal flu. But it can be much worse…

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Symptoms

Early dengue hemorrhagic symptoms are very similar to dengue fever. Here are the symptoms for dengue hemorrhagic fever:

• Fever - sudden and as high as 104 to 105 degrees F.

• Decreased appetite

• Headache - behind the eyes

• Joint aches

• Muscle aches

• Malaise - vague feeling that you are getting sick

• Nausea and vomiting

So far it looks just like dengue fever. Here’s where things get different. All the dengue fever symptoms listed above--get worse.

And, as the disease progresses, these symptoms of dengue will appear:

• Restlessness

• Ecchymosis or petechiae - these are small areas under the skin, where blood from ruptured blood vessels accumulates. The areas are purple in color and look like bruises. Petechiae are smaller areas than ecchymosis.

• Rash - all over the body.

• Shock-like state

• Hands and feet become cold and clammy

• Sweatiness

• Low blood pressure

• Weak, but rapid pulse

• Red eyes

• Red throat

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever cannot be distinguished from each other, without a doctor who will do some blood tests.

Either disease can be very serious, so if you see dengue fever symptoms, make sure you take the person to a doctor.

Dengue Fever Symptoms to Zoonosis

Dengue Fever Symptoms to Pandemic Flu and Emergency Preparedness

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