General information only. This Parent Resource summarizes WHO dengue information and does not diagnose an individual child.
What is dengue?
WHO describes dengue as a viral infection transmitted from mosquitoes to people, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates.
What symptoms does WHO associate with dengue?
WHO lists high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash among common symptoms in people who become symptomatic. Many infections are mild or have no symptoms.
What features can occur with severe dengue?
WHO lists features including severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding from the gums or nose, marked tiredness or restlessness, blood in vomit or stool, intense thirst, pale cold skin and weakness. WHO states that severe symptoms require immediate care.
How is dengue transmitted?
Dengue viruses are transmitted mainly through the bites of infected mosquitoes. WHO emphasizes mosquito-bite prevention, especially during the day, as a way to reduce risk.
Symptoms overlap with many illnesses. A list of dengue symptoms cannot establish the cause of a particular fever.
References
- World Health Organization. Dengue and severe dengue.