Classical or hemorrhagic dengue: what are the symptoms

The first symptoms of dengue are generally not specific and include high fever and general malaise, which appear about 3 days after the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito .

Thus, in addition to the signs that appear, it is very important to pay attention to the evolution of the symptoms of dengue and thus help the doctor to distinguish from other diseases such as flu, colds, malaria or meningitis, for example, starting the appropriate treatment quickly.

How to know if it is dengue

If you think you may have dengue fever, select your symptoms to find out what the risk is:

1. Fever above 39º C Yes No
2. Feeling sick or vomiting Yes No
3. Constant headache Yes No
4. Pain in the back of the eyes Yes No
5. Red spots on the skin, all over the body Yes No
6. Excessive tiredness for no apparent reason Yes No
7. Pain in joints and bones Yes No
8. Bleeding from the nose, eyes or gums Yes No
9. Pink, red or brown urine Yes No

If you suspect you should drink plenty of fluids and go to the doctor to confirm the infection. In that case, the only medication that can be taken is Paracetamol to relieve pain and fever, as aspirin can cause bleeding.

Check a list of medications that should not be used to relieve dengue symptoms.

1. Classical dengue: specific symptoms

Symptoms of Classical Dengue

The symptoms of classic dengue are similar to those of Zika, but they are usually more intense and last for about 7 to 15 days, while Zika usually disappears within 1 week. However, in any case, it is important to go to the doctor to make the proper diagnosis of the disease and give guidelines for the treatment to be followed.

Symptoms of classic dengue usually include:

High fever

The high temperature starts suddenly and the body temperature is around 39 to 40ºC. Fever means that the body is starting to fight the virus by producing antibodies, so it is important to start resting so that the body's energies are focused on eliminating the virus.

How to relieve: you should use medicines that regulate fever, such as Paracetamol, preferably recommended by your doctor. In addition, it can also help to put damp cloths on the forehead, neck and armpits or take slightly cold baths to lower body temperature.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are other common symptoms of dengue, which occur due to the general malaise caused by the disease, which also causes a lack of appetite, especially in the presence of strong smells.

How to relieve: only small amounts of food should be consumed at a time, avoiding consuming them too hot or too cold, as they make the sickness worse. In addition, one should prefer foods that are easy to chew and digest, avoiding excess salt, pepper and spices in general.

Headache and deep in the eyes

The headache usually affects the eye region and tends to worsen with the movement and effort of the eye.

How to relieve: take pain medication, such as paracetamol, put warm water compresses on your forehead, or drink ginger, fennel, lavender or chamomile teas. See other options for home remedies for headache.

Red spots on the skin

The red spots are similar to those of measles, but appear mainly in the chest area and on the arms. The disease can be confirmed through the loop test, in which the appearance of red spots on the skin is observed after tying a string on the finger.

At the medical post, the snare test can differentiate the symptoms of dengue and Zika, since in dengue there is the formation of more red spots in the area evaluated by the doctor. See more about how the loop is done.

How to relieve: dengue spots disappear as treatment progresses and, therefore, do not need specific treatment. However, it is important to avoid bumps on the skin, as they can cause bleeding.

Malaise and extreme tiredness

Due to the fight to fight the virus, the body uses more energy and causes the feeling of extreme tiredness. In addition, as the patient normally starts to eat poorly during the illness, the body becomes even weaker and tired.

How to relieve: You should rest as much as possible, drink plenty of water to facilitate the elimination of the virus and avoid going to work, class or doing activities that require efforts at home.

Abdominal, bone and joint pain

Abdominal pain occurs mainly in children, while bone and joint pain usually affects all patients. In addition to pain, the affected area may also become slightly swollen and red.

How to relieve: Use medications like Paracetamol and Dipyrone to relieve pain and put cold compresses on the area to help loosen joints.

2. Hemorrhagic dengue: specific symptoms

Symptoms can appear up to 3 days after classic dengue symptoms and include bleeding from the nose, gums or eyes, persistent vomiting, bloody urine, restlessness or confusion.

Hemorrhagic dengue symptoms

In addition to these symptoms, in some cases, it is also possible for other signs to appear, such as damp, pale and cold skin, as well as decreased blood pressure.

What to do if you suspect hemorrhagic dengue: You must immediately go to the hospital to receive proper care, as this is a serious situation that can lead to death if not properly treated in the hospital environment.

How the treatment is done

The treatment of dengue is done with analgesics and antipyretics, under medical guidance, such as Paracetamol and Dipyrone to relieve symptoms. No Acetylsalicylic Acid-based medication, such as aspirin or ASA, should be taken, as they can cause bleeding. To complete the treatment it is also recommended to rest and drink fluids, but the treatment of hemorrhagic dengue should be done at the hospital, with the use of medications and, if necessary, platelet transfusion. See other tips to recover faster after the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

However, in the most severe cases, which require hospitalization, dengue can complicate, with dehydration problems in the liver, blood, heart or respiratory system. See what are the 5 diseases that can be caused by Dengue.

Dengue symptoms in babies

In babies and children it can be more difficult to differentiate this disease from other common infections, so if the baby has a sudden high fever, he should be taken to the nearest health center or pediatrician, so that he can order a blood test and indicate the treatment that may include taking Paracetamol or Dipyrone.

Symptoms in babies can be:

High fever, 39 or 40ºC; Prostration or irritability; Lack of appetite; Diarrhea and vomiting.

What to do if you suspect that the baby is sick: You should take the baby to the pediatrician, to the health center or Emergency Care Unit - UPA for the disease to be diagnosed by a doctor.

Usually, the treatment is done at home, offering plenty of fluids to the baby or child, such as water, tea and juices. In addition, it is important to offer an easily digestible food, such as cooked vegetables and fruits, and cooked chicken or fish. However, the child may also have no symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. Find out how to know if your child has dengue.

Find out everything you can do to avoid being bitten by Aedes Aegypti:

To know the difference, see what the flu symptoms are.

To prevent and prevent dengue it is very important to turn all bottles with their mouths down, put soil in the dishes of the plants or keep the yard without puddles of standing water, since these are great environments for the development of mosquito larvae. Learn more at Learn how Dengue Transmission is Done.