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Dengue

Also called: Break-bone fever, Dengue fever 
 
 

Dengue is an infectious disease caused by a virus. You can get it if an infected mosquito bites you. It is common in warm, wet areas of the world. Outbreaks occur in the rainy season. Dengue is rare in the United States.

Symptoms include a high fever, headaches, joint and muscle pain, vomiting and a rash. Most people with dengue recover within 2 weeks. Until then, drinking lots of fluids, resting and taking non-aspirin fever-reducing medicines might help. Sometimes dengue turns into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which causes bleeding from your nose, gums or under your skin. It can also become dengue shock syndrome, which causes massive bleeding and shock. These forms of dengue are life-threatening.

To lower your risk when traveling in dengue-prone countries

  • Wear insect repellent with DEET
  • Wear clothes that cover your arms, legs and feet
  • Close unscreened doors and windows

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

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