Quick answer. Go to hospital now, or call 112 or 108, for severe belly pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, blood in vomit or stool, fast breathing, restlessness or extreme tiredness. These signs often appear as the fever falls, so keep watching for two days after it settles.
Go to hospital now if any of these appear
These apply during a fever or in the days after it, whether or not dengue has been confirmed. Do not wait for a test result or a platelet report. If the person cannot travel safely, call 112 or 108.
- Severe belly pain or tenderness.
- Repeated vomiting. The US CDC counts at least 3 times in 24 hours.
- Bleeding from the gums or nose, fresh red spots or patches on the skin, or unusually heavy periods or blood in the urine.
- Blood in vomit or stool, or black, tarry stools.
- Fast breathing or difficulty breathing.
- Restlessness, extreme tiredness, drowsiness or irritability, or a sudden change in behaviour.
- Pale, cold or clammy skin, giddiness or fainting.
Severe dengue is a medical emergency. In a child, also get emergency help for floppiness, unusual drowsiness, struggling to breathe, or a rash that does not fade when pressed.
This page is general information and cannot tell you whether a fever is dengue. Only a doctor and tests can do that.
Why the danger can come as the fever falls
A falling temperature does not necessarily mean recovery. WHO says severe symptoms often come after the fever has gone away. This surprises many families, because the person may seem better for a few hours.
| Stage | What usually happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | An illness of 2 to 7 days with high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting or rash | See a doctor, rest, drink fluids, and learn the warning signs |
| Critical phase | In 5 to 10 percent of patients, usually after the 3rd or 4th day of fever, lasting about 24 to 48 hours. WHO places this phase at around days 3 to 7 of illness | Watch closely. CDC says warning signs usually begin in the 24 to 48 hours after the fever has gone |
| Recovery | Most people feel better within a few days | Follow the doctor’s advice on repeat tests and return to work or school |
Who needs extra care
India’s national guideline lists these risk factors for severe disease. Anyone in these groups should see a doctor early and not manage a fever alone at home:
- Babies and children under 10, especially with malnutrition, and adults over 65.
- Pregnant women, and women who are menstruating or have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- People with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart, lung, kidney or liver disease.
- People with stomach ulcers, thalassaemia, G6PD deficiency or other blood disorders.
- People on long-term steroid or anti-inflammatory medicines.
A second dengue infection also carries a greater risk of severe dengue, so tell the doctor about any past dengue.
Common causes of fever in the same season
Not every monsoon fever is dengue. The national guideline says doctors should also consider chikungunya, malaria, scrub typhus, enteric fever, leptospirosis, influenza and COVID-19, among others. Some of these need specific treatment quickly, which is why testing matters more than guessing.
Who to see
Start with a general physician, who can test for dengue, malaria and typhoid. Children usually see a paediatrician, and pregnant women should also tell their obstetrician. Warning signs mean going to a hospital emergency department directly. Our specialist finder and find a doctor pages can help you locate someone nearby.
What the doctor will do
The national guideline asks doctors to check how long the fever has lasted, warning signs, risk factors, vital signs, blood circulation and a tourniquet test.
Tests
- A complete blood count with haematocrit and platelets. It is recommended for everyone with warning signs and everyone with fever beyond 3 days.
- The right dengue test depends on the day of illness: NS1 for samples from day 1 to 5, and IgM after day 5. Tell the lab when the fever began.
- Other tests for malaria, typhoid or other infections, as the doctor sees fit.
India’s government laboratory network offers free dengue diagnostic facilities through sentinel surveillance hospitals, 783 of them in 2022. Ask your nearest government hospital or district health office where the closest one is.
Home or hospital
The guideline says mild dengue may be managed as an outpatient, moderate dengue needs observation or admission, and severe dengue needs emergency treatment. There is no specific medicine for dengue. Care means watching closely and giving fluids, through a drip when needed.
Looking after someone at home
If a doctor has said home care is safe, the national guideline’s advice to patients and families is:
- Plenty of oral fluids such as ORS or coconut water, and no carbonated drinks. Ask the doctor how much to give babies and young children, because too much fluid can also be a problem at that age.
- Bed rest.
- For fever and pain, paracetamol, with tepid sponging of the forehead, armpits and limbs. Follow the dose on the pack or from your doctor.
- Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen or similar anti-inflammatory painkillers, because they can increase the risk of bleeding.
- Go back for repeat checks when the doctor asks, and keep watching for the warning signs at the top of this page.
Anyone already taking aspirin or a blood thinner for another condition should tell the doctor straight away and ask what to do. The guideline says doctors may stop these medicines depending on the platelet count and bleeding.
While the fever lasts, sleep under a treated net so mosquitoes do not pick up the virus and pass it on to family members.
What your platelet count means
Platelets help blood clot, and your lab report shows the reference range that lab uses. Doctors read the count along with your symptoms and other results, so one number alone does not tell the whole story.
- The trend matters. A rapid fall in platelets may mean the illness is getting worse.
- Haematocrit matters too. A rise of 10 percent above your baseline is an early sign of plasma leakage, which can lead to shock.
- A platelet transfusion is usually not needed for a low count alone. The guideline says to transfuse only if bleeding is present, and that it may be considered below 10,000 per cubic mm without bleeding or before emergency surgery. This decision belongs to the treating doctor.
Warning signs matter whatever the count says. Do not wait for platelets to fall before going to hospital.
Preventing bites at home
Dengue mosquitoes bite during the day, so covering up, screens and repellent matter in daylight hours too. WHO advises removing containers that hold water, disposing of waste properly, and covering, emptying and cleaning water storage containers every week.
Common questions
What platelet count is dangerous in dengue?
There is no single number that fits everyone. Doctors look at the trend, the haematocrit, your symptoms and your other results. Warning signs need hospital care even if the last count looked acceptable.
Does papaya leaf juice or kiwi raise platelets?
We could not find papaya leaf or kiwi in India’s national dengue guideline, which treats dengue with fluids, paracetamol and close monitoring. Ask your doctor before using any remedy, and do not let one delay a hospital visit.
My fever has gone. Is it over?
Not yet. Warning signs usually begin in the 24 to 48 hours after the fever has gone, so keep watching through that period and keep any follow-up the doctor has advised.
How soon after a mosquito bite does dengue start?
WHO says symptoms usually begin 4 to 10 days after infection. India’s guideline gives an average of 4 to 6 days, with a range of 3 to 14.
Can I get dengue more than once?
Yes, and a second infection carries a greater risk of severe dengue. Mention any past dengue to your doctor.
Sources
- WHO: Dengue and severe dengue fact sheet (checked 2 Nov 2026)
- US CDC: Symptoms of dengue and testing (checked 2 Nov 2026)
- NCVBDC, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: National Guidelines for Clinical Management of Dengue Fever 2023 (PDF) (checked 2 Nov 2026)
- WHO: Dengue and severe dengue, questions and answers (checked 2 Nov 2026)
- NHS: Dengue (checked 2 Nov 2026)
- MedlinePlus: Platelet tests (checked 2 Nov 2026)