Viral fevers are common during certain seasons in India, particularly in the monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Among these, dengue fever is one of the most concerning due to its potential complications in children. Early recognition, timely medical care, and supportive treatment are key to managing these infections effectively.

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue is an arboviral disease caused by the dengue virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. In regions like Delhi-NCR, dengue cases surge during the rainy months, from August to October.

Key Features of Dengue Fever

• Sudden onset of high-grade fever

• Severe body aches and muscle pain (often called break-bone fever)

• Headache and pain behind the eyes

• Skin rashes that may appear as fever subsides; these rashes are often itchy and non-blanching

• Nausea and vomiting

• Low platelet counts and increased blood stickiness (high PCV), which can raise the risk of bleeding and dehydration

Why is Dengue Dangerous?

The most serious forms of dengue can lead to:

• Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) — causing bleeding, low platelets, and plasma leakage

• Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) — severe plasma leakage leading to shock, organ failure

Children, due to their smaller blood volume, are at higher risk of rapid deterioration. That’s why close monitoring is essential, especially if red flag signs appear.

Dengue Red Flag Signs

👉 Severe abdominal pain
👉 Persistent vomiting
👉 Bleeding gums or nose
👉 Blood in stool or vomit
👉 Excessive drowsiness or irritability
👉 Difficulty breathing

If you notice these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Other Common Viral Fevers in Children

While dengue is prominent during monsoons, several other viral fevers affect children throughout the year:

Chikungunya

• Spread by the same mosquito (Aedes aegypti)

• High fever, severe joint pain, rash

• Joint pains may last for weeks

Influenza (Flu)

• Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches

• Common during seasonal changes

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

• Fever with rashes or sores on the mouth, hands, and feet

• Mostly seen in younger children

COVID-19

• Can cause fever, cough, fatigue, breathing difficulty

• Usually mild in children, but still needs attention

Treatment and Care

✅ No specific antiviral medicine exists for dengue or most viral fevers. Treatment focuses on:

• Adequate hydration

• Paracetamol for fever (avoid ibuprofen/aspirin in dengue)

• Regular platelet monitoring in dengue cases

• Close medical supervision, especially if warning signs develop

✅ Preventive measures

• Use mosquito repellents

• Wear full-sleeve clothing

• Keep surroundings clean and dry

• Ensure vaccinations (e.g., flu vaccine) as advised by your doctor

When to See a Doctor?

If your child has high fever for more than 2-3 days, or shows any red flag symptoms, don’t delay medical consultation. Timely intervention can prevent complications.

Get in Touch

Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to book a consultation:

📍 Our Clinic
Conscient One
Shop-101, Ground Floor, Conscient One Mall,
Northern Peripheral Rd, Block R, New Palam Vihar Phase 1,
Sector 109, Gurugram

📧 Email Us
info@drparveenkidsclinic.com

📞 Call Us
+91 80599-01391

Your child’s health is our priority. Stay vigilant, stay safe!