Dengue (pronounced den-gay) fever is an infectious disease. It is typically found in tropical urban regions. Dengue can cause high fevers, headaches, rashes, and pain throughout the body. Although dengue fever can be very painful, it doesn’t usually kill people. Most people start feeling better after several days and recover fully in a couple of weeks.

In some cases, dengue fever can turn into something more serious known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. This can cause bleeding, vomiting, belly pain, and even death. People with dengue hemorrhagic fever need to be treated in a medical facility immediately.

Dengue fever is common in tropical and subtropical climates. It’s a big problem in some countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Dengue fever is rare in the United States, but it can happen.

Dengue is also sometimes called “breakbone fever,” which might give you an idea of how painful it can be. The disease isn’t actually breaking any bones, but it can feel like it is because of the joint and muscle pain.

Symptoms of dengue fever usually appear 4 to 7 days after someone has been infected. Some people infected with the virus won’t have any symptoms. Others will have symptoms for 3 to 10 days before getting better.

A person with dengue fever may notice these things:

• High fever
• Pain behind the eyes and in the joints, muscles, and/or bones
• Severe headache
• Rash
• Bleeding from the nose or gums
• Bruises that form easily

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever – People with dengue hemorrhagic fever have the regular symptoms of dengue fever for 2 to 7 days. After the fever goes down, they may notice these additional symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing

If dengue hemorrhagic fever is not treated right away, a person can have heavy bleeding and a drop in blood pressure, and could even die.

If you have any symptoms of dengue fever, call a doctor right away. You also should call a doctor if you develop symptoms of the infection after going to a region that has dengue fever.

To make a diagnosis of dengue fever, a doctor (or nurse practitioner) will examine you and evaluate your symptoms. He or she will ask you questions about your medical history and recent travels, and might order a blood sample to test for the disease.

If you’ve been diagnosed with dengue, call your doctor or get to a hospital emergency room right away if your symptoms get worse or if new symptoms appear, especially in the day or two after the fever goes down.