Many people with dengue do not have symptoms or only feel a bit unwell.
If you do have symptoms, they usually start 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. They can last from 2 to 7 days.
Symptoms may include:
- a sudden high temperature (fever)
- an intense headache
- pain behind the eyes
- muscle and joint pain
- feeling very tired
- nausea
- vomiting
- a fine rash, which may be itchy and usually begins on the extremities but spares the palms and soles of the feet.
People with symptoms can sometimes have severe muscle and bone pain similar to the feeling of breaking a bone. Dengue is sometimes called 'breakbone fever'.
Warning signs of severe dengue
A small number of people may get severe dengue within 2 to 5 days of their symptoms starting. With severe dengue, your health rapidly gets worse even though your fever gets better.
People with severe dengue symptoms need to stay in hospital because the disease is life-threatening.