Dengue fever: symptoms, warning signs and when to go to hospital

Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquito bites. It is common in Bangladesh. The World Health Organization (WHO) says most people with dengue have mild symptoms or none, and get better in 1 to 2 weeks. A small number become seriously ill, and some die. Knowing the warning signs and acting on them quickly is important.

Dengue in Bangladesh right now

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) publishes daily dengue figures. Its dashboard, last updated on 24 October 2026, reported 121,699 people admitted to hospital with dengue and 377 deaths in Bangladesh since 1 January 2026. On 24 October alone, 1,898 new admissions and 6 deaths were reported. The people admitted that day ranged from children aged 0 to 5 to people over 80.

For comparison, the DGHS daily press release of 10 November 2025 reported 79,722 hospital cases and 315 deaths in 2025 up to that date. 2023 was a record year. According to DGHS data cited in published research, there were 203,406 cases and 989 deaths between 1 January and 30 September 2023. These figures count hospital admissions reported to DGHS.

How dengue spreads

Dengue is caused by the dengue virus. It passes to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. WHO advises avoiding mosquito bites especially during the day, so you can catch dengue in daylight as well as at night.

There are four types of dengue virus, and a person can have dengue more than once. According to WHO, people infected for a second time are at greater risk of severe dengue.

Common symptoms

Many people with dengue have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, WHO says they usually start 4 to 10 days after infection and last 2 to 7 days. They can include:

high fever, often around 40°C (104°F)
severe headache
pain behind the eyes
muscle, joint or bone pain
nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
swollen glands
a skin rash

Early dengue can look like many other illnesses that cause fever. This is why a doctor’s check and a blood test matter.

The three stages of dengue

Doctors often describe dengue in three stages. Knowing them helps families understand when to be most careful.

Fever stage (about 2 to 7 days): high fever, aches and pains, sometimes a rash or slight bleeding from the gums or nose.
Critical stage (starts as the fever goes down and usually lasts 24 to 48 hours): most people start to feel better. In some people, though, fluid leaks out of the blood vessels. This is called plasma leakage, and it can lead to severe dengue, including shock (dangerously low blood pressure), within a few hours.
Recovery stage: the patient slowly starts to feel better. An itchy rash may appear.

Important: the fever going away does not always mean the danger is over. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says warning signs usually begin in the 24 to 48 hours after the fever has gone. Watch the patient closely during these days.

Warning signs: go to hospital immediately

Take the patient to a hospital straight away if you notice any of the following, especially around the time the fever falls:

severe stomach pain, or a tummy that hurts when touched
vomiting again and again (the CDC counts at least 3 times in 24 hours as a warning sign), or being unable to keep fluids down
bleeding from the gums or nose
blood in vomit or stool
fast or difficult breathing
pale, cold or clammy skin
extreme tiredness, restlessness, irritability or confusion, or a child who is unusually drowsy
feeling very thirsty or very weak
passing much less urine than usual

WHO says people with these symptoms should seek care immediately. The CDC says severe dengue is a medical emergency and needs immediate medical care.

Who needs extra care

Some people are more likely to become seriously ill, or need closer monitoring from the start. Doctors may advise hospital care sooner for:

people who have had dengue before
pregnant women. If the mother is ill late in pregnancy or around delivery, the virus can pass to the baby.
babies, especially those under 1 year old
older people, especially those over 65
people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney or liver disease
people who take blood-thinning medicines
anyone who lives alone or cannot easily get to a hospital if things get worse

Testing for dengue

A doctor may ask for blood tests. Common ones include:

NS1 antigen test: finds part of the virus. It is most useful in the first week of illness.
Dengue antibody (IgM) test: finds the body’s immune response. It usually becomes positive from about day 4 of illness.
Complete blood count (CBC): checks platelets (cells that help blood clot), white cells and haematocrit (how concentrated the blood is). A rising haematocrit can be a sign of fluid leaking from blood vessels.

Many families worry most about the platelet count. It matters, but doctors look at the whole picture, including symptoms and other results. Follow the doctor’s advice on when to repeat tests.

How dengue is treated

WHO says there is no specific treatment for dengue. Care supports the body while it fights the infection. Depending on how ill the patient is, a doctor may advise:

rest and plenty of fluids at home, with clear instructions on warning signs and follow-up checks
hospital admission for monitoring if there are warning signs or other risk factors
intravenous (IV) fluids, given through a drip, with careful monitoring
hospital care for severe dengue, sometimes in an intensive care unit

WHO says some painkillers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can increase the risk of bleeding in dengue. Before taking any medicine for a fever, ask a doctor or pharmacist. If you already take aspirin or a blood thinner for a heart condition or stroke, tell your doctor straight away so they can advise you.

Which doctor to see

Situation	Who to see
Adult with fever and body aches, no warning signs	A registered MBBS doctor or a medicine specialist (internal medicine)
Child with fever	A paediatrician (child specialist)
Pregnant woman with fever	A gynaecologist and obstetrician, together with a medicine specialist
Any warning sign listed above	The emergency department of the nearest hospital, without delay
Severe dengue, shock or heavy bleeding	Hospital care, often in a high-dependency unit or intensive care unit (ICU)

If you are unsure where to go, go to the nearest hospital rather than waiting at home.

Caring for someone at home

Encourage plenty of fluids, as the doctor advises, and plenty of rest.
Keep track of the temperature, how much they drink and how often they pass urine.
Check on them often, including at night, especially in the 2 days after the fever drops.
Let the patient rest and sleep under a mosquito net, so mosquitoes cannot bite them and pass the virus on to others.
Go back to the doctor on the day you are told to, even if the patient seems better.

Preventing dengue

There is no specific treatment, so prevention is important:

Avoid mosquito bites, especially during the day. Wear long sleeves and use repellent and nets, including for daytime naps.
Once a week, empty, cover or clean anything around your home that holds still water, such as flower pots, buckets, tyres, AC trays and rooftop containers. This stops mosquitoes breeding.
Fit screens on windows and doors where possible.

Key points

Dengue is common in Bangladesh. As of 24 October 2026, hospital admissions for the year were already higher than the 2025 total up to 10 November.
Most people recover, but watch closely when the fever goes down.
Stomach pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, fast breathing, cold skin or drowsiness mean: go to hospital now.
Ask a doctor before taking any medicine for fever.

Find a doctor

Browse Medicine doctors in Bangladesh on ratings.com.bd, with chamber addresses, visiting hours and appointment numbers.

Sources

This article is general information, not medical advice. It was written by AI from the sources above and checked automatically against them; no doctor or editor has reviewed it. For a diagnosis or treatment, see a registered doctor.