Dengue

About Dengue

• Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species (Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus) mosquito. These mosquitoes also spread Zika, chikungunya, and other viruses.
• Dengue is common in more than 100 countries around the world.
• Forty percent of the world’s population, about 3 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue. Dengue is often a leading cause of illness in areas with risk.
• Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue. Approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and 22,000 die from severe dengue.
• Dengue is caused by one of any of four related viruses: Dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4.  For this reason, a person can be infected with a dengue virus as many as four times in his or her lifetime.

Key Facts

• 1 in 4: About one in four people infected with dengue will get sick.
• For people who get sick with dengue, symptoms can be mild or severe.
• Severe dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and often requires hospitalization.

Symptoms

• Mild symptoms of dengue can be confused with other illnesses that cause fever, aches and pains, or a rash.
• The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following:
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Rash
  • Aches and pains (eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain)
  • Any warning sign
• Symptoms of dengue typically last 2–7 days. Most people will recover after about a week.

Treatment

• There is no specific medication to treat dengue.
• Treat the symptoms of dengue and see your healthcare provider.

If you think you have dengue

• See a healthcare provider if you develop a fever or have symptoms of dengue. Tell him or her about your travel.
• Rest as much as possible.
• Take acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol outside of the United States) to control fever and relieve pain.
• Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen!
• Drink plenty of fluids such as water or drinks with added electrolytes to stay hydrated.
• For mild symptoms, care for a sick infant, child, or family member at home

How to Prevent

• Prevent dengue by avoiding mosquito bites.
• All four dengue viruses are spread primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus) mosquito. These mosquitoes also spread chikungunyaand Zika viruses.
• The mosquitoes that spread dengue are found in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including many parts of the United States.
• A dengue vaccine is available for use in some parts of the world, including United States territories.

Dengue Vaccine Globally

• A vaccine to prevent dengue (Dengvaxia®) is licensed and available in some countries for people ages 9-45 years old. The World Health Organization recommends that the vaccine only be given to persons with confirmed prior dengue virus infection.

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/

Considering to get Dengue Vaccination?