Dengue and Dengue Fever: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which type of doctor should one consult for dengue fever?

Consult a physician or an infectious disease doctor.

2. Is dengue contagious from person to person?

No, dengue is not contagious and cannot be spread merely by person to person contact. The dengue virus is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. If a mosquito bites someone with dengue, and then bites another person, the second person can get infected. This is usually how dengue spreads and can sometimes become an epidemic.


3. Can I be infected with dengue a second or more times?

Yes. Dengue is caused by four different viral strains and infection with one virus does not protect a person against infection from the other three strains. Hence one can be infected by dengue four times. Subsequent infections increase the risk for the most serious forms of dengue, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome.

4. What kinds of mosquito repellents are safe?

It is safe to use a repellent that has DEET (diethyltoluamide or diethylmethylbenzamide) or picaridin. One should however be careful when using it on children and infants. Please read the safety label of the manufacturer before usage.

5. Where do most outbreaks of dengue occur?

Outbreaks of dengue occur primarily in areas where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed and thrive, i.e., mostly in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. These include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Southeast Asia, parts of South and Central Africa, Caribbean, Mexico, and parts of South and Central America. Dengue viruses may be introduced into other areas by travelers who become infected while visiting the tropics where dengue commonly exists.

6. Can one treat dengue with antibiotics?

No, since dengue is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not effective against it and should not be used.

7. Is dengue a deadly disease? Can one die from dengue fever?

Although dengue fever is a serious and often painful condition, it is not a deadly disease and does not lead to death. With proper care, most people infected with dengue usually make a full recovery unless complications occur. These complications may include Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). In some of these cases death can occur but is rare. With proper care and treatment, even patients with DHF or DSS can make a full recovery. Hospitalization is highly recommended in cases of DHF or DSS and greatly increases the chances of survival.

8. What can be done to reduce the risk of acquiring dengue?

Reducing stagnant water bodies that are the main breeding centers for the female Aedes mosquitoes to lay their eggs reduces the risk of acquiring dengue.

9. How can we prevent epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)?

Development of an effective vaccine against the dengue virus is the most promising solution. Others are eradication of the Aedes aegypti vector and spraying ultra-low volume (ULV) insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes. Both methods have not been viable.

10. Is dengue fatal?

Severe dengue or dengue hemorrhagic fever can be fatal.

11. If I have had dengue fever, can I get it again?

Yes, a single attack of dengue fever only protects the person against the particular virus serotype. The person can still be infected by the other 3 virus serotypes.

12. Can dengue fever spread through saliva?

No. It can only spread through the bite of certain female Aedes mosquito species.

13. What does the dengue fever antibody test mean?

In the antibody test, 2 classes of antibodies IgG and IgM (produced in response to the infection) are detected. A positive IgM plus negative IgG will indicate a recent primary dengue infection while a positive IgG with a positive or negative IgM will indicate an infection that has occured in the past.

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