Symptoms of Dengue Fever: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can affect anyone—children, adults, and even infants. It’s especially common during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in India. But early detection can make all the difference. If you’re wondering how to identify dengue symptoms or what to do when you spot the warning signs, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the early signs of dengue, dengue symptoms in adults and children, the critical phase, and what happens during recovery. By the end, you’ll know how to stay alert, act fast, and where to seek help if needed.

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue is caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito—often biting during early morning and evening hours. Once infected, it usually takes 4 to 10 days for symptoms to appear after the mosquito bite.

Let’s now explore the symptoms of dengue fever in detail.

Early Signs and General Dengue Symptoms

The first symptoms of dengue can feel like a regular viral fever, which is why it's often missed in the beginning. Here’s what you should look out for:

• High fever in dengue (often 104°F or more)
• Severe headache (typically frontal or behind the eyes)
• Pain behind the eyes (retro-orbital pain)
• Dengue body ache, especially muscle and joint pain (also called "breakbone fever")
• Dengue fatigue or extreme tiredness
• Skin rash in dengue (may appear on the 3rd to 5th day)
• Nausea and vomiting in dengue
• Loss of appetite

These are some of the most common early stage dengue symptoms. These may vary slightly based on age, immunity, and viral strain.

Dengue Symptoms in Adults, Children & Infants

In Adults:

Signs of dengue in adults can include:

• Sudden high fever
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Mild bleeding (like bleeding gums or nose)
• Easy bruising
• Chills and shivering
• Swollen glands in dengue

Adults often report intense fatigue even after the fever subsides.

In Children:

Dengue symptoms in children might be harder to detect, as they can mimic flu or other viral illnesses. Watch for:

• Sudden fever
• Irritability or drowsiness
• Dengue rash appearance
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Dengue low platelet count signs like easy bruising or nosebleeds

In Infants:

Dengue symptoms in infants may be subtle:

• Poor feeding
• High-pitched crying
• Swollen glands
• Skin blotches
• Dengue diarrhea

If you notice these, get medical help immediately.

Dengue Warning Signs: When It Becomes Serious

The illness has 3 phases: febrile, critical, and recovery. The dengue critical phase symptoms usually begin around the third to seventh day of illness and can be life-threatening.

Here are key warning signs of dengue getting worse:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Rapid drop in platelet count (dengue low platelet count)
• Bleeding gums or nose
• Easy bruising
• Blood in urine or stool
• Swollen glands in dengue
• Extreme fatigue or restlessness
• Dengue eye pain
• Cold or clammy skin (dengue chills and shivering)
• Dengue dehydration

These are often signs of severe dengue symptoms, also referred to as dengue hemorrhagic symptoms, which can lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, or dengue fever complications.

So, what are the signs of dengue getting worse? Watch for sudden bleeding, confusion, extreme weakness, or a feeling of “dryness” despite drinking water. These indicate urgent medical care is needed.

Dengue Symptoms Day by Day

Let’s understand how dengue progresses over time.

Day 1–3: Febrile Phase

• High fever, chills (dengue chills and shivering)
• Body ache, headache, vomiting
• Rash may appear

Day 4–6: Critical Phase

• Fever may reduce (don’t be fooled!)
• Drop in platelets (is low platelet a symptom of dengue? – Yes!)
• Risk of internal bleeding
• Warning signs like abdominal pain, bruising

Day 7–10: Recovery Phase

• Gradual return of appetite
• Skin may peel
• Joint pain and dengue fatigue
• Recovery symptoms of dengue may include tiredness and mood swings

Understanding dengue symptoms day by day helps track the infection and prevents delayed care.

Recovery Symptoms of Dengue

Once treatment starts, you’ll notice these recovery symptoms of dengue:

• Gradual return of appetite
• Reduced fever and pain
• Rash begins to clear
• Energy levels improve slowly

Even after recovery, dengue fatigue can persist for weeks. Hydration, rest, and medical follow-up are essential.

Advanced Dengue Care at Paras Hospital

At Paras Health, our expert physicians and emergency teams are equipped to handle mild to severe dengue cases with timely diagnosis, fluid therapy, and platelet management, we provide:

• Accurate dengue diagnosis through blood tests
• 24x7 emergency care for dengue complications
• Experienced internal medicine specialists
• Specialized care for dengue in children and infants

Our hospitals across Gurgaon, Panchkula, Patna, Ranchi, Kanpur, Srinagar, Udaipur, and Darbhanga are fully equipped to handle dengue fever cases—from mild to severe.

Suspect Dengue? Don't Wait. Book an Appointment or Visit the Nearest Paras Health Emergency Today!
📞 Call Now: 8080808069

FAQs on Dengue Symptoms

Is Low Platelet a Symptom of Dengue?

Yes. One of the most critical indicators of dengue is a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Normal platelet levels are between 150,000–450,000 per microliter. In dengue, this can drop below 100,000, increasing the risk of bleeding.

What are the first symptoms of dengue?

High fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue are usually the first symptoms of dengue.

How to identify dengue fever symptoms?

Track any sudden fever with two or more signs like eye pain, body ache, nausea, rash, or bleeding. Blood tests confirm diagnosis.

How long do dengue symptoms last?

Mild cases recover in 7–10 days. Severe dengue can take longer and may require hospitalization.

When Do Dengue Symptoms Start After a Mosquito Bite?

Symptoms usually appear 4–10 days after a mosquito bite. This is the incubation period where the virus multiplies in the body before symptoms of dengue fever become visible.

What are the signs of dengue getting worse?

Persistent vomiting, bleeding, low platelet count, or abdominal pain indicate progression to dengue hemorrhagic symptoms.