Patient Comments: Dengue Fever - Describe Your Experience
Please describe your experience with dengue fever.
Published: July 28
I spent the summer of 1978 serving a summer missionary internship working in a children's hospital in Haiti, West Indies. I must have been bitten by a carrier of Dengue because I became quite sick within about a week of returning to my home in Dallas. I had a slight rash, low grade fever, petechiae, and terrible, terrible pain. I was quite ill for about two weeks, not even able to get out of bed! I was basically given Valium by my internist because there was no treatment and he determined that the Valium would at least keep me from struggling with the terrible pain. Interestingly, I have immune problems (which may have made me a "target" for the illness) and I also developed significant fibromyalgia within a short tine after recovering from Dengue. I have no idea if there is a relationship between the two, but the coincidence is certainly interesting. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Published: July 24
I just returned from Costa Rica. Seems there was an outbreak of Dengue Fever when I was there and I believe I had it, although I never got the blood test done. At first I was feeling a bit ill and got a rash on my stomach, which I attributed to a heat rash after a day at the beach. The next day I was supposed to go scuba diving, but after walking about .25 miles to the dive shop, I decided not to go. Felt like I had a killer hangover (but had not drank alcohol the night before) and a really bad lower backache. They drove me home and I spent the day in bed, fever, nausea, and headache. The next day, felt much better so the next day I did go diving and by noon was covered in the bright red rash and thought I had been run over by a truck. Ended up taking a tour that weekend with a group and went through fever and chills the whole time. Would drag myself around but always found an excuse to rest/sit. We went to a "hot springs" that had a warm pool and a cool pool and I spent a couple hours in them and it was great - brought the fever down and I felt much better. Each day fewer symptoms but I still get tired easily. Some people say there is no way I had it because I wasn't "sick enough". I don't know...never had a rash like that before! Was this comment helpful?Yes
Published: July 23
I have had dengue fever years ago as I live in Jamaica. Ever since then I seem to get the same symptoms for 3-4 days three or four times per year: achy sensation, tiredness, and painful headache behind the eyes. The fever rises upon exertion. Is this the same virus still in my system? I continue to live here in Jamaica and wonder if I am slightly more immune but continue to get a version of it. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: farhana, 25-34 Female (Patient)
Published: May 08
Dengue is a near-death experience. You can't eat; you can't talk; you don't want to hear anything because all of your body is in pain – even your nails. It was a lifetime experience. Now I get a rash because of eating chicken, wearing perfume, or makeup. I am sensitive to heat and cold, I get tired easily, and my skin is dull and dry. Thankfully, I am out of that painful period of my life. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Comment from: rhom, 3-6 Male (Caregiver)
Published: September 15
My 6-year old son is now in the hospital and is being suspected of having Dengue Fever. He had fever for 3 days. His body temperature reached 39.9.On the 4th day, the temperature dropped, and we thought that he will be okay, but he had fever at night time on the same day again. It was 38 degrees high. On the 5th day, he had fever until early afternoon and the temperature lowered until the next day. We decided to bring him to the doctor for a check-up and were advised to be hospitalized. My heart is still breaking whenever he will undergo CBC. He gets blood test everyday. The rashes on his skin became more visible on the 6th and 7th day. He doesn't have fever anymore. I just hope that he will continue on fighting against this disease. His appetite is regaining again though it wasn't as good as his normal yet. His stool is still watery and his lower lip is very dry. He is being forced to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Was this comment helpful?Yes
Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Dengue Fever - Symptoms
Question: What symptoms and signs did you experience with dengue fever?
Dengue Fever- Treatment
Question: What kind of treatment was effective for your Dengue Fever?
Patient Comments are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. |
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Suggested Reading on Dengue Fever by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
15 articles-
Low Blood Pressure
- Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through
-
Rash
- The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most
-
Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an
-
Nosebleed
- Nosebleed is common in dry climates during winter months, and in hot dry climates with low humidity. Individual taking blood clotting medications, aspirin,
-
Sore Throat (Pharyngitis)
- Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should
-
Headache
- Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are
-
Pneumonia
- Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The infection may be bacterial,
-
Fever
- Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degrees F. (37 degrees C.), in practice a person is usually not considered
-
Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions. The
-
Muscle Pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)
- Myofascial pain syndrome is muscle pain in the body's soft tissues due to injury or strain. Symptoms include muscle pain with tender points and fatigue.
-
Myocarditis
- Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle and can be caused by a variety of infections, conditions, and viruses. Symptoms of myocarditis include
-
Shock (Medical)
- Medical shock is a life-threatening medical condition. There are several types of medical shock, septic shock, anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic
-
Travel Medicine
- Travelers should prepare for their trip by visiting their physician to get the proper vaccinations and obtain the necessary medication if they have a medical
-
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
- Viral hemorrhagic fever(s), or VHFs are a group of illnesses caused by distinct families of viruses. Many of these viruses are life-threatening, and classified
-
Bioterrorism
- Bioterrorism is a form of terrorism where there is the intentional release of biological agents such as viruses, germs, or bacteria. Diseases caused by
-
Low Blood Pressure
-
Medications
4 articles -
Procedures & Tests
1 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
1 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
3 articles -
Health News
13 articles -
Health Features
3 articles
I am just getting over Dengue which I got in South India or Thailand. I had a rash on my arms that alerted me. Next I knew I had a 105 temp (41 c) for 3-4 days and extremely intense joint and muscle pain. This makes it nearly impossible to sleep so you become quite delirious. Then came blood in stool (GI Bleeding) - and complete loss of appetite. I was put on IV - but still lost about 10 lbs (5kg). I didn't experience nausea, but a horrible rash came on that is itchy and painful and makes it difficult to sleep. I'm about 3 days into the rash which the doctors indicate is the final phase of the illness. I am feeling very weak and exhausted.