Dengue in Children: Warning Signs and When to Seek Care

Dengue can change quickly, and the period when fever begins to fall is not always the end of the risk. Parents should watch the child’s hydration, alertness, breathing, pain, bleeding, and urine output throughout the illness.

Seek urgent medical care for warning signs

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Repeated vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
• Bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood, black stool, or unusual bruising
• Extreme sleepiness, restlessness, confusion, weakness, or collapse
• Cold or clammy skin, breathing difficulty, or reduced urine
• A child who looks worse as the fever decreases

What parents should track

• Day of illness and fever pattern
• Fluid intake and urine frequency
• Vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, or bleeding
• Energy, interaction, and sleepiness
• All medicines given
• Laboratory results and the time they were taken

Hydration matters

Offer frequent fluids appropriate for the child’s age and condition. A child who cannot drink, repeatedly vomits, or urinates much less needs medical assessment. Do not wait for obvious severe dehydration.

Avoid self-starting medicines

Do not use aspirin. Avoid giving medicines that may increase bleeding risk unless a doctor has specifically advised them. Use fever medicine only at the correct pediatric dose.

Why repeat assessment may be needed

Dengue decisions depend on the day of illness, examination, hydration, warning signs, and trends in laboratory results. A single early test does not replace follow-up when symptoms continue or worsen.

What to bring

• Timeline of fever and symptoms
• Fluid and urine notes
• All laboratory results
• Medicine list and doses
• Information about dengue cases near home or school

Book an evaluation. For any warning sign or rapid deterioration, proceed directly to the nearest emergency department.

Source

World Health Organization: Dengue and severe dengue

Medically reviewed by Dr. Justin Ong Ho. Last reviewed August 1, 2026.