Symptoms of dengue range from mild to severe.

Approximately 1 in 4 people infected with a dengue virus will develop symptoms which usually appear within 2 weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms typically last 2–7 days with most people recovering after about a week.

The most common dengue symptom is fever with one or more of the following:

• Aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Any warning sign

When to Seek Emergency Help

About 1 in 20 people who get sick with dengue will develop severe dengue which can be life-threatening. Severe dengue is a medical emergency. Warning signs for severe dengue typically appear within 24–48 hours after fever has gone away.

Immediately go to the nearest clinic or emergency department if any of the following warning signs appear:

• Belly pain or tenderness
• Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
• Bleeding from the nose or gums
• Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool
• Feeling extremely tired or restless

People should see a healthcare provider if they have symptoms of dengue and live in or have recently traveled to an area with risk of dengue.

A blood test is the only way to confirm the diagnosis, however laboratory confirmation is not required to manage illness from dengue. Healthcare providers should provide care based on compatible signs and symptoms and educate their patients on warning signs to watch for while awaiting test results.

In addition to ordering blood tests to look for dengue, providers should consider other non-endemic arboviruses like Zika or chikungunya that may cause similar signs and symptoms.

There is no specific medicine to treat dengue. If you think you might have dengue, it is important to:

• See a healthcare provider if you develop a fever or have symptoms of dengue. Tell them about any recent travel.
• Rest as much as possible.
• Take acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol outside of the US) to control fever and relieve pain.
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen! These medications can increase the risk of bleeding complications.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Drink water or drinks with added electrolytes.
• For mild symptoms, care for a sick infant, child, or family member at home.

If you have dengue, prevent mosquito bites. During the first week of illness, dengue can be found in the blood. The virus can be passed from an infected person to a mosquito through mosquito bites posing a risk for local transmission.

Currently, there is no widely available dengue vaccine to prevent dengue infection. The best way to prevent dengue is to protect yourself from mosquito bites by taking the following actions:

• Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent while outdoors. Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day and night.
• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce areas of exposed skin.
• Take steps to control mosquitoes in and around your home.

Visit our mosquito prevention page for more helpful tips.