Dengue fever: symptoms, treatment and prevention for travellers

The NHS says dengue does not always cause symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they usually start 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, and some are similar to flu. WHO says symptoms typically last 2 to 7 days and that fatigue can last for several weeks after recovery.

• A high temperature.

• A severe headache.

• Pain behind your eyes.

• Muscle and joint pain.

• Feeling or being sick.

• Swollen glands.

• A blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots, which can affect large areas of the body.

The NHS says some people get more severe symptoms a few days after they first felt ill, but this is rare. The temperature may start returning to normal, but more serious symptoms may then appear. WHO likewise says that symptoms of severe dengue often come after the fever has gone away.

The NHS says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you feel unwell after travelling to a country where dengue is found. Tell anyone you speak to about your recent travel, and get medical advice quickly if you have dengue symptoms while you are travelling.

The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have travelled to a country where dengue is found and have symptoms of severe dengue. It says severe dengue can be very serious if not treated quickly in hospital. Do not drive yourself to A&E: ask someone to drive you or call 999 for an ambulance, and bring any medicines you take with you.

Dengue, also known as dengue fever, is an infection spread by mosquitoes. The NHS says it is not usually serious and often gets better on its own. WHO calls it break-bone fever, a viral infection spread from mosquitoes to people, mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry the virus bite during the day.

The NHS says dengue is very common in parts of Africa and Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands and some southern areas of North America. There is also a risk from spring to autumn in parts of southern Europe, including Croatia, France, Italy, Spain and Madeira. Check the risks for your destination on the TravelHealthPro website.

The NHS is clear that dengue is not found in the UK and you cannot catch it from another person.

The NHS says most people with dengue feel better in a few days and that there is no treatment for dengue itself. You can help ease symptoms by resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking paracetamol to bring down your temperature and ease pain.

The NHS says not to take anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin, because they can cause bleeding problems if you have dengue. WHO likewise says non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines should be avoided as they can increase the risk of bleeding. If you have severe dengue, the NHS says you will need to stay in hospital until you recover.

The NHS says most people feel better in a few days. WHO says that most people with dengue have mild or no symptoms and will get better in 1 to 2 weeks, with symptoms usually lasting 2 to 7 days. After recovery, people may feel fatigue for several weeks.

The NHS says that if you are at increased risk of getting seriously ill from dengue you should consider not travelling to countries where the infection is found. At-risk groups include people who are very young or older, are pregnant, have certain health conditions (including asthma, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, or a condition that makes you bleed more easily) or have had dengue in the past. WHO says people infected for a second time are at greater risk of severe dengue.

In a country where dengue is found the best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites. The NHS advises:

• Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening.

• Use insect repellent on your skin, ideally one that contains DEET.

• Close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens.

• Sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide, including during the day.

The NHS lists being pregnant among the groups at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from dengue and says to consider not travelling to countries where it is found. WHO says that when a mother has a dengue infection in pregnancy, babies may suffer from pre-term birth, low birthweight and fetal distress. Discuss any travel plans with a midwife or doctor.

The NHS says a vaccine helps protect against dengue and is recommended for people who have had, or might have had, dengue in the past and are travelling to a part of the world where dengue is common. Get advice from a travel clinic. If you need the vaccine, the NHS says you will have to pay for it privately.

Suspected dengue after travel is assessed through your GP, NHS 111, or A&E and infectious diseases services for severe illness. The NHS does not provide the dengue vaccine, so private travel clinics are the route for people who qualify.

A private travel health consultation is best arranged well before departure, so that risks, bite avoidance and vaccination can be discussed in the context of your itinerary and health conditions. It does not replace urgent NHS care if you become ill on your return.