Dengue Fever (breakbone fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever) Fact Sheet

What is dengue?

Dengue is a disease caused by the bite of a mosquito infected with any one of four dengue viruses.

  • Dengue can cause high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eye, joint pain, and muscle pain.
  • The mosquitoes that carry this disease are mainly in tropical areas, so travelers may arrive in the U.S. with dengue fever from areas where the illness is common.
  • There have been outbreaks in the U.S. where people got dengue virus locally, particularly in southern states.
  • There is currently no dengue vaccine recommended for those living in areas where local spread of dengue is not common (such as New York). More information about dengue vaccination can be found here.
  • Climate change continues to increase the risk of diseases spread by mosquitoes, especially for people who travel to areas where they are more common.

What is dengue hemorrhagic fever?

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a more severe type of dengue that may cause easy bleeding or bruising, bloody bowel movements, or vomiting blood (for full list of symptoms, see below). Dengue hemorrhagic fever needs to be treated right away by your healthcare provider.

What can you do to prevent the spread of dengue fever?

Most people in New York State (NYS) who had dengue traveled to areas where dengue was common. People who travel to those areas can lower the chance of getting the disease by taking steps to avoid getting mosquito bites:

  • Cover your skin as completely as possible. Wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods or when mosquitoes are most active at sunrise, sunset, and early in the evening.
  • Stay indoors, if you can, when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Cover baby carriers and beds with mosquito netting when outdoors.
  • Make sure all windows and doors have screens, and that screens do not have rips, tears, and holes.

Use insect repellent on exposed skin, follow label directions and this information on using repellents safely. More information on choosing and safely using repellents is on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.

Protect yourself:

  • Cover your skin as completely as possible when outside at sunrise, sunset, and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks.
  • Use insect repellent on exposed skin and follow label directions and this information on using repellents safely. More information on choosing and safely using repellents is on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
  • Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.

Who gets dengue?

People of all ages can get dengue fever if they are bitten by infected mosquitoes. The disease occurs mainly in tropical Asia and the Caribbean, usually during the rainy seasons in areas with many infected Aedes mosquitoes (the kind that spread dengue). For the latest travel advisory, visit CDC Travel Notice.

How is dengue spread?

  • Dengue fever is mainly spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. A mosquito becomes infected when it bites a person who has dengue in their blood.
  • After about a week, the mosquito can spread the disease to another person when it bites. People cannot spread the disease to other people.
  • Local spread of dengue is rare in New York State but remains possible as mosquitoes that can transmit the virus have been found in parts of the state.

What are the symptoms of dengue?

People may start to feel sick between 3 and 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, but usually within 4 to 7 days.

Mild Dengue (Dengue Fever)

Dengue fever symptoms include:

  • Fever (most common) starts suddenly and may last from 2 to 7 days
  • Intense headache
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Rash
  • Mild bleeding of the nose or gums (sometimes)

Severe Dengue (Dengue hemorrhagic fever)

The hemorrhagic form of dengue fever can make you very sick and symptoms may include:

  • High fever
  • Bleeding from the nose or mouth (gums)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting (at least 3 times in 24 hours)
  • Blood in the vomit or bowel movement
  • Headache
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe pain in the stomach or abdomen

This may lead to shock or death.

What do I do if I think I have dengue?

If you think you have severe dengue or any warning signs of severe dengue, go to the emergency room immediately.

How is dengue fever diagnosed?

  • Your healthcare provider may think you could have dengue if you have symptoms of the disease and have traveled to an area where dengue is present.
  • Your healthcare provider can order laboratory tests to see if the virus or antibodies (germ fighters) are in your blood.

What is the treatment for dengue fever?

  • There is no specific treatment.
  • Intravenous (IV) fluids and oxygen therapy are often used for patients who become very ill. Getting the right medical care lowers the chance that the disease will get worse.
  • If you have symptoms of dengue, do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. These medicines can increase your risk of bleeding. Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) instead to help control fever and pain.

If I had dengue virus in the past, can I get infected again?

If you were infected with dengue virus in the past, it is still possible to become severely ill. Someone who is infected with the same strain of dengue virus they had in the past may be protected from getting sick again. However, someone who had a different strain of dengue infection is more likely to develop a severe form of dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever).

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