Dengue Fever

Infectious Diseases

Arboviral illness with febrile, critical and recovery phases; plasma leakage in the critical phase drives shock.

Clinical features

  • High fever, retro-orbital pain, myalgia
  • Rash, flushing
  • Warning signs: abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, mucosal bleed, lethargy, hepatomegaly, rising haematocrit with falling platelets

Investigations

  • NS1 antigen (days 1–5), IgM/IgG (after day 5)
  • Serial FBC — haematocrit and platelets 12-hourly
  • LFTs, ultrasound for ascites/pleural effusion

Management

  • Group A: oral fluids, paracetamol, daily review
  • Group B/C: isotonic crystalloid per WHO chart, titrate to urine output 0.5 mL/kg/h
  • Avoid NSAIDs, aspirin and IM injections
  • Platelet transfusion only for significant bleeding, not for count alone

Clinical pearls

  • Critical phase begins as fever settles (day 3–7) — that is when patients deteriorate
  • Rising haematocrit with falling platelets signals plasma leakage

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