Dengue fever symptoms and prevention

Note: Since dengue fever mosquitoes breed in urban environments, the usual tourist activities in North Queensland such as reef and rainforest trips carry a low risk.

Dengue fever symptoms

The risk can be further minimised by staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodation.

People infected with the dengue virus may have no apparent symptoms or have illness ranging from a mild fever to a severe, even fatal condition.

The symptoms may last up to a week. Some people may experience a resurgence of fever and other symptoms that may last another two to three days.

See a doctor immediately if you or anyone in your family has any symptoms of dengue fever.

Symptoms are most commonly seen in adults and older children. Young children may show no symptoms. Typical symptoms may include:

• sudden onset of fever (lasting three to seven days)
• intense headache (especially behind the eyes)
• muscle and joint pain (ankles, knees and elbows)
• unpleasant metallic taste in mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain
• flushed skin on face and neck, fine skin rash as fever subsides
• rash on arms and legs, severe itching, peeling of skin and hair loss
• minor bleeding (nose or gums) and heavy menstrual periods
• extreme fatigue

Dengue haemorrhagic fever symptoms

This is a rare complication of dengue in Australia. More commonly seen in children aged under 15 years, but can occur in adults. Symptoms include:

• same signs as dengue fever
• 2-5 days after onset of fever, rapid deterioration and cardiovascular disease
• perhaps shock and sometimes death
• 
  

Dengue fever treatment

• See a doctor / general practitioner (GP) immediately
• Wear insect repellent. If you have dengue fever, mosquitoes that bite you may pass dengue on to other people.
• Drink plenty of liquids and take paracetamol for fever and pain. Do not take aspirin because it can affect blood clotting

Dengue haemorrhagic fever treatment

• All patients with dengue haemorrhagic fever need to be hospitalised for fluid therapy and monitoring

Types of dengue fever

There are four types of dengue viruses that cause dengue fever worldwide - Dengue 1, 2, 3 and 4. A person infected with one type of dengue will subsequently only be immune to that type. They will not be immune to other types of dengue and will, in fact, be at risk of developing severe symptoms if they contract another type of dengue.

Reducing the risk - get rid of breeding sites

Dengue mosquitoes breed in containers that hold water. The dengue mosquito does not breed in rivers, swamps, open drains, creeks or mangroves. These mosquitoes do not like to travel far from mosquito breeding sites. Control mosquitoes by getting rid of mosquito breeding sites around the home.

Dengue mosquitoes breed in containers that hold water, including:

• buckets
• old tyres
• tarpaulins and black plastic
• pot plant bases
• vases
• boats
• tin cans and plastic containers
• roof guttering
• rainwater tanks with damaged or missing screens
• birdbaths
• striking containers (to grow plant cuttings)
• drain sumps
• fallen palm fronds
• coconut shells

Residents should check in and around their homes regularly and:

• throw out unused containers
• tip out containers that can hold water and store in a dry place
• clean out roof gutters

Reducing the risk - avoid being bitten

• wear insect repellent, particularly during the early morning and late afternoon, when the dengue mosquito is most active
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• use flying insect spray to kill any mosquitoes in rooms
• use mosquito coils or plug-in insecticide mats in rooms
• screen sleeping and living areas
• use cockroach surface sprays indoors in dark places such as behind cupboards and under beds

Source: Queensland Health

For more information visit Queensland Health's website.

 

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