Buzz
How long does dengue fever last is a common concern for many dengue fever patients. The symptoms of this disease cause a lot of discomfort for us. Dengue fever usually occurs in rainy months and becomes a strong epidemic towards the end of the year. Therefore, we need to understand this disease well for prevention and effective treatment, especially for young children and the elderly.
1. What is dengue fever?
To know how long dengue fever lasts, you need a clear definition of this disease. Dengue fever is a characteristic infectious disease in tropical climates. It is caused by a type of virus and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (also known as tiger mosquitoes).
2.1. How Long Do Mild Dengue Fever Symptoms Last?
Mild symptoms of dengue fever include: fever, body aches, skin rash (red or purple spots appearing on the skin), eye socket pain, headaches, bone pain, nausea, vomiting, or joint pain,... The disease progression consists of 3 main stages: incubation - fever, critical phase, and recovery.
How Long Does Dengue Fever Last: Mild symptoms typically subside within 1 week
These symptoms usually last for about 2 to 7 days from onset. And most will disappear after about 1 week. If combined with treatment and recovery methods, these symptoms can resolve more quickly. And of course, it also depends on your physical condition and the severity of your infection.
2.2. What Are the Severe Symptoms of Dengue Fever After the Fever Subsides?
Even after the fever subsides, many symptoms can worsen. These include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain. Or respiratory problems like difficulty breathing, dehydration, excessive bleeding (including nosebleeds, bleeding gums, vomiting blood, or blood in stool). Additionally, there may be symptoms such as low blood pressure, fatigue, restlessness, or discomfort.
Severe symptoms may appear within 24 to 48 hours after the fever subsides. These symptoms can be life-threatening, and patients need immediate medical care.
Typically, 1 out of 20 people with dengue fever experience severe symptoms. During severe dengue fever, patients are at risk of shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
Dengue Fever Can Worsen After the Fever Subsides
It's important to note that individuals with a history of dengue fever are at higher risk of developing severe dengue fever. Additionally, infants and pregnant women are also at increased risk. However, by recognizing early signs and receiving proper medical care, the risk of death from dengue fever can be reduced by up to 99.5%.
Severe symptoms often occur later, but if not treated promptly, it may be too late to save the patient. This is a concerning issue that raises questions about how many days it takes for dengue fever to completely resolve.
3. How is Dengue Fever Treated?
Honestly, there's no specific treatment for dengue fever. All we can do is alleviate symptoms and boost the body's immune system. So, you can definitely self-care at home if you have a good understanding of the disease.
3.1. Self-Treatment for Dengue Fever - How Many Days Does It Take to Recover?
To self-care or care for someone with dengue fever at home, you need to equip yourself with the following:
- To alleviate pain and reduce fever, take Paracetamol. This medication will help you feel more comfortable, alleviate headaches, and reduce body aches. Note, do not use Aspirin or Ibuprofen to lower fever. These medications can exacerbate dengue symptoms. Dengue patients are more prone to bleeding when taking Aspirin or Ibuprofen. And this is truly dangerous. Don't forget this because you're curious about how many days it takes for dengue fever to go away.
- Drink more water to prevent dehydration. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day helps you feel more comfortable and boosts your body's defenses. Additionally, you should drink electrolyte-replenishing fluids to prevent weakness. Oresol is one of the top choices. Besides, you can drink fruit juices. But remember not to drink too sweet or too much at once.
Dengue patients need adequate electrolyte supplementation
- Get more rest. Patients in general should rest more for the body to recover. As for dengue patients, excessive activity can worsen bleeding. Therefore, resting is a good way for you to recover quickly.
- Eat nutritious meals. Although tired, try to eat as fully as possible. Choose easily digestible foods and simple cooking methods for easy absorption. Additionally, supplement with vitamins to boost immunity and minimize bleeding.
So, how many days does it take for dengue fever to go away with home care? If well cared for, you'll start feeling better after about a week. And after about 2 weeks, your body will be almost completely recovered.
3.2. Do You Need to Go to the Hospital When You Have Dengue Fever?
Along with the question of how many days it takes for dengue fever to go away, many wonder whether they should go to the hospital or continue treatment at home. Although doctors don't have any specific interventions, accurate diagnosis and prevention of serious complications are crucial.
In a few cases, dengue fever can become severe and life-threatening. Especially for sensitive groups like young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. So, when noticing the following signs, you or your loved ones need to be taken to a medical facility for examination and appropriate treatment:
- Severe abdominal pain: including severe cramping, bloating, or tenderness when pressed
- Fever persists without relief (using fever-reducing medication but no relief)
- Vomiting blood
- Bleeding from the gums or large bruises appearing under the skin
- Difficulty breathing, rapid and shallow breathing
- Cold, sweaty skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Unconsciousness or loss of consciousness
Dengue fever patients need to be taken to the hospital when experiencing severe symptoms
The symptoms above signal a worsening progression of dengue fever, and patients need immediate medical intervention. Keeping the patient at home for care is not advisable at this point.
In summary, the answer to the question of how many days it takes for dengue fever to go away is typically 1 to 2 weeks. With good nutrition and adequate rest, patients will recover quickly. Additionally, take preventive measures to prevent the disease from spreading to others.
