Dengue Fever In Children: All You Need To Know About This Deadly Disease

How do I know if my child has dengue? Is dengue fever serious in children? How long does dengue last in kids? Learn about dengue in children here.

Thousands of dengue cases are reported in Singapore every year. Transmitted by the Aedes mosquito that’s native to tropical regions, the disease is a much bigger threat in a country like ours.

Here’s why it’s important to know what the disease is, its symptoms and what you can do to protect your children and the entire family from this deadly disease.

What is Dengue

Dengue fever is a tropical, mosquito-borne disease that causes flu-like symptoms, rashes and joint and muscle pain.

The virus is carried by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito and cannot be directly transmitted from person to person. Instead, transfer occurs when this mosquito bites a person who is already infected. Persons who are bitten by the same mosquito afterwards may also get sick.

Symptoms of Dengue in Children

Dengue fever in children, infants and toddlers generally starts with the following symptoms:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Mild rashes on the skin
• High temperature

Dengue fever in children who are older include:

• High fever of 106°F (41°C) – usually the first symptom that manifests; other symptoms usually appear after the fever goes down significantly

• Eye and joint aches

• Skin rash, which appears three to four days after the onset of fever

• Nausea and Vomiting

• Bleeding nose and gums

• Backaches and headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Susceptible to easy bruising

Dengue fever in children may cause your child to be pale and weak, and this weakness may continue for some time after the illness as well.

Children who have not had dengue are more vulnerable. However, they usually end up with a milder form of the disease compared to adults. 

Remember, though, that flu-like symptoms are possible indicators of other diseases as well, such as malaria, leptospirosis, typhoid fever and other minor diseases; so these symptoms are not 100 per cent indicative of dengue.

How long does dengue last in kids?

The duration of Dengue fever in kids can vary, but generally, the illness lasts for about a week. The initial symptoms, such as high fever, severe headaches, and joint pain, usually peak within the first few days. Subsequently, a gradual improvement is observed. However, it’s crucial to note that some children may experience lingering fatigue and weakness even after the acute phase.

Risk Factors of Dengue Fever in Children

You have a greater risk of developing dengue fever or a more severe form of the disease if:

• You live in a tropical country
• You are not taking precautions such as not applying or using anti-mosquito products
• Children playing in areas that house mosquito breeding sites such as items that contain stagnant water (uncovered water pails, unused cans or jars, car tires, flower vases)
• Children staying in populated areas that are dirty: lined with garbage and containers that hold dirty water
• If someone in your household had dengue recently and there are mosquitoes in your home.

Complications of Dengue Fever in Children

Dengue fever in children, while often characterised by mild symptoms, can escalate to more serious complications that demand our attention. Severe cases may lead to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), posing a significant threat to a child’s health.

These complications can manifest as bleeding, organ impairment, and a sudden drop in blood pressure, necessitating prompt medical intervention.

Having a history of contracting dengue increases the risk of suffering from severe dengue symptoms upon the succeeding contraction.

When to Call the Doctor

A mild case of dengue goes away after a week or two. If symptoms worsen a day or two after dengue symptoms go away, consult a doctor because a child may have a severe form of the fever called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

Should your child be suspected of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), it is important to seek medical attention immediately, as it can be fatal.

Tests and Diagnosis

The paediatrician will examine your child for dengue symptoms and then require a blood test to determine if your child tests positive or negative for the disease. In certain instances, the blood test may not show positive results, especially during the early days, and it may take seven to 10 days after exposure to show up.

Treatments and Drugs

There is no cure for this viral illness. At best, relief from dengue symptoms can be provided to ease pain and discomfort. 

Dengue has four strains: DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4. It is only after contracting one strain that a child builds immunity to it; however, he is not immune to the other three strains. In most cases, the subsequent infection and symptoms are much more severe than the first.

For mild dengue, recommended home treatments are to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration from high fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Acetaminophen can be taken to relieve pain and reduce fever. However, avoid anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen that may increase the risk of bleeding complications.

For fever, some ways to help relieve your child of the temperature includes a lukewarm bath, apple cider vinegar and popsicles. Using a child-friendly cool fever patch helps to bring down the temperatures too.

For severe dengue, hospitalisation is necessary to monitor blood pressure, administer intravenous fluids, replace electrolytes and receive blood transfusion if necessary.

Dengue Vaccine in Singapore

In the ongoing efforts to combat Dengue fever, Singapore has taken a proactive stance by introducing the Dengvaxia vaccine. This vaccine, developed by Sanofi Pasteur, aims to provide a preventive measure against the dengue virus, particularly for individuals living in high-risk areas.

The vaccination campaign in Singapore is a significant step toward reducing the incidence of Dengue fever and its associated complications.

The dengue vaccine is only recommended for individuals aged 12 to 45 who were previously diagnosed with the disease. If you haven’t had it yet, it’s not usually recommended, because there’s a higher chance of more serious dengue if you catch it later on.

They usually recommend a blood test to check if you’ve had it before giving you the vaccine – just to be on the safe side!

How to Prevent Dengue in Children

Eliminate mosquito breeding sites

• Clean out any surfaces that collect stagnant water. There could be mosquitos breeding in indoor bamboo plants, the area under the air-conditioning vents, the dog’s water bowl or even discarded tire outside the house
• Keep your house clean, dry and hygienic
• Throw away wet garbage such as vegetable stalks, fruits peels, etc., regularly
• Clean out any flower pots and throw out dead plants

Repel mosquitos 

• Dress your child in long-sleeved clothing and trousers to reduce exposed skin
• Make him wear light-colored clothes as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors
• Use Citronella oil-based creams and sprays or other herbal mosquito repellents. Avoid using such on baby’s delicate skin unless your pediatrician advises it
• Experiment with placing mosquito repellent plants around the house. However, one must ensure that the water drains out well to avoid stagnant water
• Use mosquito nets while sleeping
• If you do not already have them, install mosquito meshes on windows. Make sure these are free of holes
• Lighting a mosquito coil at night helps keep mosquitoes away but ensure proper ventilation and that your child is not allergic to the fumes

Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active

• Limit the amount of time children spent outside during the day, especially in the hours around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active
• Air conditioning also helps keep mosquitoes at bay

In Singapore, homes are the most common breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquitoes. Everyone plays a part to help lower the risk of dengue fever in the community, so it’s important to understand where the potential breeding areas are.

Safeguarding our little ones from the threat of Dengue fever is a shared responsibility. By maintaining clean surroundings and eliminating potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes, we can significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Remember, early detection is key, so if you notice any symptoms in your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to your paediatrician.

Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.