Travel Medicine

Emerging Infectious Diseases and Other Conditions

Dengue Fever

What is dengue fever?

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes mainly in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, with the greatest risks occurring in:

The Indian subcontinent
Southeast Asia
Southern China
Central and South America (except Chile, Paraguay, and Argentina)

Caribbean
Mexico
Africa
Taiwan
The Pacific Islands

Dengue fever occurs most often in urban areas, but may be found in rural areas also, particularly in areas with elevation less than 4000 feet. Transmission of the virus, via Aedes mosquitoes, usually occurs during and shortly after the rainy season. These mosquitoes are most active during the day and are often found near human dwellings, often indoors.

What are symptoms of dengue fever?

Dengue fever may confused with other infectious diseases such as influenza or malaria. Symptoms may include:

sudden onset, high fever
severe headaches
joint and muscle pain
nausea
vomiting
rash that appears 3-4 days after the onset of fever

The illness may last up to 10 days, with recovery often taking 2 to 4 weeks.

More severe forms of the disease are called:

dengue hemorrhagic fever
dengue shock syndrome

These are very rare among travelers. Symptoms begin the same way dengue fever does, but progresses to faintness, shock, and generalized bleeding.

How can dengue fever be prevented?

Because there is not a vaccine for dengue fever, travelers should:

avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellents on skin and clothing.
stay in well screened or air conditioned areas.

When sleeping areas are not air conditioned or screened, the use of aerosol insecticides indoors and bednets are recommended.

How is dengue fever diagnosed?

Dengue fever infection is diagnosed by a special blood test to determine the presence of the virus or antibodies. See your physician if you become sick within a month of returning from travel in a tropical area, and be prepared to give your complete travel itinerary, so that the physician can evaluate the possibility that your symptoms were caused by a dengue infection.

How may dengue fever be treated?

Specific treatment will be determined by your physician(s) based on:?

your overall health and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

The symptoms of dengue fever are generally treated with bed rest and fluids. Medications may be used to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen, but aspirin should be avoided.

This page was last updated on: February 14, 2008.

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