How long does dengue fever last?

Symptoms of dengue usually appear between 4 days to 2 weeks after being bitten by an Aedes or infected mosquito. These symptoms can last for 3 to 10 days after the symptoms of dengue appear or they can also be biphasic; that is, they can reappear once the symptoms are cured. Sometimes, the condition can be serious depending on the symptoms one experiences and their severity.

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Mild symptoms of dengue include fever, pain and skin rash, which are usually accompanied by eye pain, headache, muscle pain, bone pain, nausea/vomiting or joint pain. These mild symptoms of dengue last for 2-7 days. Most people recover after about a week. There is no specific medicine to treat mild dengue. Doctors treat only the symptoms of dengue to keep you comfortable and help you to recover from the infection overall.

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Even after the dengue fever is cured, many symptoms seen during dengue can take a serious form. These include gastrointestinal problems such as nausea or vomiting, severe abdominal pain, respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, dehydration, severe plasma leakage, and heavy bleeding (bleeding from the nose, bleeding gums, vomiting blood or blood in stool) a sudden drop in blood pressure, tiredness, restlessness or irritability. These symptoms can be life-threatening and medical care is needed immediately in such cases. Symptoms of severe dengue appear within 24 to 48 hours after the fever is cured.

Symptoms of severe dengue are seen in 1 in 20 people. During severe dengue, there is a risk of shock, internal bleeding and even death. People who have had dengue before are more at risk of severe dengue. Additionally, infants and pregnant women are also at a higher risk. By recognizing the early signs of shock and seeking emergency medical care, the risk of death in severe dengue patients can be reduced by up to 99.5%. Not only this, the severe type of dengue has a delayed onset and usually lasts for 24 to 48 hours. If treatment is not received in time, it may be too late to save the patient

(Read more: Ayurvedic medicine for Dengue)

Dengue fever is a painful and debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by one of four dengue viruses. Symptoms of dengue start appearing in 2 to 7 days. During this time, it passes through three stages of the incubation period – fever, critical, recovery. If you notice any symptoms or signs of dengue, seek emergency medical service immediately as severe dengue is a medical emergency.

(Read more: Homeopathic medicine for Dengue)