Dengue is an infection caused by one of four dengue viruses. It is spread to people by infected mosquito bites. Globally, there are about 100 million people who get sick with dengue each year. Dengue can be deadly.
What Are the Symptoms of Dengue?
Most infected people have mild or no symptoms. For those who get sick, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint, muscle or bone pain, rash, vomiting, and unusual bleeding (e.g., nose or gums bleed, unusual bruising). Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults. Symptoms typically last between two to seven days.
Severe Dengue Is an Emergency
One in four people who get sick with dengue will not recover and will develop signs and symptoms of severe dengue. Severe dengue is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical care, sometimes hospitalization.
See PDF version: What Head Start Programs Should Know About Dengue [PDF, 96KB]
How is Dengue Spread?
Dengue is mainly transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that spread dengue also spread other diseases. Mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone who is living in or traveling to an area, usually a tropical area, where dengue virus is found is at risk for infection.
How is Dengue Diagnosed?
It is important for parents to see their child's healthcare provider if they or their child develop symptoms (fever, headache, rash, joint pain, red eyes). Because dengue can be confused with other illnesses, a healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for dengue or other similar diseases like Zika virus or chikungunya.
Implications for Head Start or Child Care Programs
- Dengue cannot be spread through saliva, coughing, or touching. As usual, children should stay home if they have a fever.
- Programs should review their emergency plans and staff availability to ensure adequate coverage, if needed.
Help Protect Children from Getting Dengue
- There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat dengue.
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
- Use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Use the air conditioner if you can.
Protect Staff from Mosquito Bites
- Cover up! Wear protective clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants covering most of the body.
Use EPA-registered Insect Repellents
- Follow label instructions, reapply as directed.
- If you are using sunscreen—apply it first then put on the insect repellent.
How to Apply Insect Repellent on Children
- Spray insect repellent on your hands then put it on your child's face.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children less than 3 years old.
- Don't use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.
- Children younger than 2 months old may be protected by covering carrier with mosquito netting.
- Don't put insect repellent onto a child's hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
How to Talk to Children about Dengue
- If children have questions, make time to listen and answer their questions.
- Speak in a calm tone of voice. Use reassuring words.
- Keep all explanations easy for your child to understand.
Where Can I Learn More?
See PDF version: What Head Start Parents Should Know About Dengue [PDF, 112KB]
How Does Dengue Spread?
Dengue is mainly transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread chikungunya and Zika viruses.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone who is living in or traveling to an area, usually a tropical area, where dengue virus is found is at risk for infection.
How Is Dengue Diagnosed?
See your healthcare provider if you or your child develop symptoms (fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes). Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for dengue or other similar viral diseases like Zika virus or chikungunya.
Should a Child with Dengue be Excluded from Head Start or Child Care Programs?
Dengue is spread by mosquitos and does not spread by touching others. As usual, children should remain out of the center if they have a fever or are vomiting.
Help Protect Your Family from Getting Dengue
- There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat dengue.
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers. Check inside and outside your home.
- Use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Use the air conditioner if you can.
Protect Your Family from Mosquito Bites
- Cover up! Wear protective clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants covering most of the body.
Use EPA-registered Insect Repellents
- Follow label instructions, reapply as directed.
- If you are using sunscreen—apply it first then put on the insect repellent.
How to Apply Insect Repellent on Children
- Spray insect repellent on your hands then put it on your child's face.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children less than 3 years old.
- Don't use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.
- Children younger than 2 months old may be protected by covering carrier with mosquito netting.
- Don't put insect repellent onto a child's hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
How to Talk to Children about Dengue
- If children have questions, make time to listen and answer their questions.
- Speak in a calm tone of voice. Use reassuring words.
- Keep all explanations easy for your child to understand.
Where Can I Learn More?
Last Updated: September 25, 2023