Dengue Fever
Single dose: £80
What is dengue fever?
Dengue fever, often referred to simply as dengue, is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. In most cases, it’s mild and resolves on its own within a week, but in some instances, it can develop into a serious and potentially life-threatening illness.
How can you catch dengue fever?
It’s important to understand that dengue fever isn’t spread from person to person — it’s transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes usually bite during the daytime, from early morning until just before dusk, and are often found near still or stagnant water such as in wells, water storage tanks, or old tyres.
There are four different strains of the dengue virus, and it’s possible to be infected more than once. If you’ve had dengue before, you’ll only be immune to the specific strain you were infected with, not all four types.
Signs & symptoms of Dengue Fever
Dengue fever doesn’t always cause symptoms, and when it does, they can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms may include:
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Severe headache
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High fever
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Pain behind the eyes
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Joint and muscle pain
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Nausea or vomiting
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A widespread rash with flat or slightly raised red spots
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Loss of appetite
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Abdominal pain
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Swollen glands
Symptoms usually appear four to ten days after infection and tend to develop suddenly. They typically last about a week, though you may continue to feel tired or unwell for several weeks afterwards.
In rare cases, dengue can progress to severe dengue, which can be life-threatening.
If you feel unwell after returning from an area where dengue is common, contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111 for advice.
Treating Dengue Fever
There’s currently no specific cure or treatment for dengue fever — management focuses on relieving symptoms until the infection passes. Most mild cases can be cared for at home by:
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Getting plenty of rest
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Staying well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids. If you’re in a country where tap water isn’t safe, only drink sealed bottled water
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Taking paracetamol (if suitable) to reduce pain or fever — avoid aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can increase the risk of bleeding
If you start to feel unwell after travelling to an area where dengue fever is present, contact your GP or call NHS 111 urgently, and let them know where you’ve been.
If symptoms develop while you’re abroad or you live in a dengue-affected area, seek medical help immediately from a doctor or hospital.
While there’s no specific treatment for dengue, proper diagnosis is important to rule out other conditions. Your doctor may arrange a blood test to confirm the infection. Most people recover fully at home, though severe cases may require hospital care for monitoring and supportive treatment.
Prevention
Although a dengue fever vaccine is licensed for use in the UK, it’s only recommended for certain travellers who have previously had dengue fever.
To lower your risk of infection, you can take several preventative steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites, such as:
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Using insect repellent with at least 50% DEET. For babies under two months old, use a DEET-free alternative and seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist before travelling. Always use repellents safely and follow the instructions on the label.
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Wearing long sleeves and trousers to cover your arms and legs, especially during daylight hours when mosquitoes are most active.
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Keeping windows and doors closed, or using screens or blinds if they’re available.
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Sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net, including during daytime naps.
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Wearing closed shoes instead of sandals to prevent bites on your feet.
Before you travel, it’s wise to speak with a GP, pharmacist, practice nurse, or travel clinic for personalised advice on how to protect yourself from dengue fever and other travel-related illnesses.
