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Dengue fever in children, although a common illness and can recover quickly. However, if not treated promptly, this disease can lead to serious complications and even death in children. So, the symptoms of dengue fever in children, the incubation period, the stages of the disease, and how to treat it are the information parents need to know. Let's explore information about dengue fever in children with PasGo!
1. Symptoms of Dengue Fever in Children
The symptoms of dengue fever in children will vary at each stage. The stages of dengue fever in young children are: the incubation stage, the fever stage, the critical stage, and the recovery stage, with varying degrees of severity. Specific symptoms at each stage include:
Incubation Period of Dengue Fever in Children
Dengue fever in children is a fairly common illness
The incubation period of dengue fever in children is from the time the child is infected with the dengue virus until symptoms appear, ranging from 4 to 7 days, and can last up to 14 days. During this stage, all symptoms may not be clear and can be difficult to identify. Therefore, after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the dengue virus, symptoms of dengue fever in children usually do not appear immediately, but take from 4 to 5 days for the child to develop a fever or other signs.
Symptoms of Dengue Fever in Children during the Fever Stage
After the incubation period, children will enter the onset phase, typically lasting from 2 to 7 days. During this phase, symptoms of dengue fever in children include: fatigue, body aches, fever above 39°C, sore throat, nausea, eye socket pain, diarrhea, runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, and many other symptoms.
Since the initial symptoms of dengue fever are similar to common flu, parents often underestimate and may give their children fever-reducing medication as they would for the flu. However, parents should not self-administer medication to their children as it can worsen the condition.
Symptoms during the critical stage
After the child's fever subsides or decreases, the illness will progress to a more severe stage, entering the critical phase.
Hemorrhage under the skin - a symptom of dengue fever
During this period, the child's immune system is weakened due to the impact of the virus, leading to a rapid decrease in the number of white blood cells and platelets in the blood, which can even drop below normal levels. Therefore, caring for and managing the symptoms of dengue fever in children during this stage becomes extremely crucial. Some important symptoms include: rash, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, bloody urine, feeling cold, even shock, swelling around the eyes, difficulty breathing, and severe dehydration.
Parents should immediately take their child to the hospital if they exhibit any of these symptoms to avoid dangerous complications and protect the child's life. This stage can lead to a range of dangerous complications such as severe bleeding (in the stomach, brain), hepatitis, myocarditis, encephalitis, heart failure, and organ damage.
Recovery stage
After successfully passing the critical phase, typically between 48 to 72 hours later, children will transition into the recovery phase, showing positive signs:
- Increased Urination: During the fever phase, children often urinate less due to severe dehydration. After 5 to 7 days of treatment, they tend to urinate more, indicating improvement in health.
- Improved Health: When children exhibit better mood and return to normal eating habits, parents can recognize that their child is recovering.
- Fading of Petechiae: The petechiae on the child's body will gradually fade and decrease in size, with no new petechiae appearing. This is also a positive sign indicating recovery.
2. How many days does it take for children to recover from dengue fever?
Dengue fever is an illness that progresses quite rapidly. For children, recovery usually occurs around 7 - 10 days after the onset of fever. However, parents should remain vigilant and provide proper care to ensure a speedy recovery for their child.
3. Treatment for Dengue Fever in Children
Dengue fever in children can progress well, and children can recover quickly if properly cared for. Here are some important considerations for caring for and treating dengue fever in children:
Treating Dengue Fever in Children at Home
Upon observing symptoms resembling those of dengue fever in children as mentioned above, promptly take the child for a medical examination. Typically, most cases of dengue fever in children can be managed at home (outpatient) after diagnosis and scheduled follow-up appointments. To ensure the effectiveness of dengue fever treatment, adhere to the doctor's instructions, including the following measures:
Regularly monitor the child's temperature
- Monitor the child's body temperature frequently and promptly contact the doctor if there is any abnormal increase in temperature.
- Limit the child's activities and ensure they rest in a cool, quiet environment with adequate ventilation.
- Use Paracetamol to reduce fever as directed and prescribed by the doctor. Never self-administer medication, as this can increase the risk of harm to the child.
- Use oral rehydration solution to rinse the child's mouth, clean their nose and eyes.
- Ensure the child receives adequate nutrition by prioritizing easily digestible foods such as milk, porridge, soup, etc.
- Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids, including fruit juice, coconut water, warm water, vegetable soup, and oral rehydration solution. Offer small amounts at a time, avoiding large volumes at once.
- Choose comfortable clothing with good absorbency. Gently wipe the skin with a damp cloth, change clothes regularly, and only bathe the child when their condition is stable.
In cases of severe danger, take the child to the hospital
Without timely treatment and proper care, dengue fever in children can lead to even worse situations, such as dengue shock syndrome, high fever causing seizures, encephalitis, damage to the heart, liver, lungs, or complications related to bleeding.
Therefore, during home care and self-treatment, parents should monitor signs and symptoms closely and follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Immediately take the child to the hospital for emergency care if the child experiences the following signs:
- Persistent high fever that does not decrease;
- Seizures occur;
- Symptoms do not show signs of improvement and worsen over time;
- The child shows signs of severe dehydration.
Through this article, it is hoped that parents have gained information about the symptoms of dengue fever in children, the incubation period, and how to treat dengue fever. Furthermore, when noticing any unusual signs, immediately take your child to the hospital for proper and timely support and treatment.
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