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Chandigarh, 24 August, 2026: Dengue looks no different from any other viral fever in the first two or three days — which is exactly when most people delay testing. But the danger doesn’t end once the fever settles. In fact, the days after the fever breaks, roughly day 3 to day 7 of illness, are when the disease can turn serious, as fluid leakage and warning signs often emerge just as patients start to feel relieved. Staying alert through this entire window, not just the first few days, can be the difference between a mild illness and a hospital admission.
Recognizing the World Mosquito Day, Dr. Gurpreet Singh Bhatia, Director, Internal Medicine, Fortis Mohali, said “Most people assume a mosquito bite is a minor nuisance, but with dengue, it’s the sheer unpredictability that one should worry about is that two patients with identical symptoms on day one can have completely different outcomes by day five. That’s why it is important to monitor continuously even if fever has gone down.”
What Is Dengue?
Dengue spreads through the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito, which breeds in clean, stagnant water rather than dirty drains. That means coolers, flowerpots, discarded tyres, and construction sites close to home are common culprits, especially as cases rise through and after the monsoon. There are four distinct dengue virus strains, and immunity to one does not protect against the others, a second or third infection is possible, and often more severe than the first.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Sudden, high-grade fever
- Severe headache with pain behind the eyes
- Joint and muscle pain
- Skin rash
- Nausea and vomiting
Warning signs that need immediate medical attention (especially as fever starts to settle):
- Persistent vomiting or inability to keep retain even fluids
- Severe abdominal pain or tenderness
- Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or unusual bruising
- Restlessness, lethargy, or confusion
- Cold, clammy skin or difficulty breathing
Who Is More Vulnerable?
- Children and the elderly
- Anyone who has had dengue before
- People managing chronic conditions like diabetes or kidney disease
- Pregnant women
- Residents of areas with poor drainage or uncovered water storage
What Happens if Left Untreated?
Most dengue cases recover with rest and close monitoring, but ignoring the warning signs can lead to complications:
- Severe dehydration from ongoing fever and vomiting
- A sharp fall in platelet count, raising the risk of internal bleeding
- Plasma leakage, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and shock
- Damage to organs, particularly the liver
- Dengue shock syndrome, a stage that can be fatal without emergency care
Treatment and Prevention
There is no dedicated antiviral cure for dengue, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications:
- Plenty of rest and fluids, with paracetamol for fever — avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen, which increase bleeding risk
- Regular monitoring of platelet count, hematocrit, and blood pressure — hematocrit trends are often a more reliable early indicator of plasma leakage than platelet count alone
- Hospital admission with IV fluids for those showing warning signs; platelet transfusion is reserved for active bleeding or very low counts with additional risk factors, not for low numbers alone
- Eliminating mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water weekly, using nets and repellents, and wearing full-sleeved clothing
The Takeaway
Caught early and monitored closely — through the full course of illness, not just the first few days — dengue is a condition most people recover from fully. This World Mosquito Day, something as simple as clearing stagnant water at home, or seeing a doctor the moment a fever won’t break, could make all the difference for families in Mohali this season.
