Dengue: warning signs you should never ignore

Dengue cases rise in Khulna every monsoon and autumn. Most people recover with rest and fluids, but the dangerous phase often begins just as the fever comes down — usually between day 3 and day 7. Knowing the warning signs saves lives.

Common symptoms

• Sudden high fever
• Severe headache and pain behind the eyes
• Body, joint and muscle aches
• Nausea, loss of appetite
• Skin rash

Go to hospital immediately if you notice

• Severe or continuous stomach pain
• Repeated vomiting, or unable to keep fluids down
• Bleeding from gums or nose, blood in vomit, black stool
• Very little urine for 6 hours or more
• Cold, clammy hands and feet, extreme weakness or restlessness
• Difficulty breathing
• In children: unusual sleepiness or irritability

Caring for dengue at home

• Drink plenty of fluids — water, ORS, soup, coconut water, fruit juice
• Take paracetamol for fever, as advised by a doctor
• Do NOT take aspirin, ibuprofen or other painkillers — they increase bleeding risk
• Get a CBC (platelet count) as your doctor advises, and follow up

Prevention

• Empty standing water around your home every 3 days — flower tubs, tyres, AC trays
• Use a mosquito net, including during the day
• Wear long sleeves and use repellent, especially early morning and evening

This article is for awareness, not diagnosis. If you suspect dengue, see a doctor. We can book a medicine or child specialist and arrange a discounted CBC.