Stages of Dengue

Dengue runs a three-act course over about ten days, and the plot twist is built in: the middle act - when the fever breaks - is the dangerous one. Knowing the stages tells you when to relax and when to watch hardest.

Stage 1: Febrile phase (days 1-4)

• Sudden high fever, severe body ache, headache with pain behind the eyes, nausea, flushed face
• What to do: NS1 test to confirm, paracetamol only for fever, steady fluids, rest, and start the platelet count tracking
• Most patients feel terrible but are in no danger yet

Stage 2: Critical phase (roughly days 3-7 - the trap)

• The fever FALLS - and this is exactly when plasma can start leaking from blood vessels in the unlucky few
• The platelet count typically hits its lowest here
• Watch like a hawk for warning signs: abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding (gums, black stools), lethargy or restlessness, cold hands and feet