Dengue Fever: What Travellers Need to Know

At SkyCare, your health and safety are at the heart of everything we do. If you are planning to travel to tropical or subtropical areas, it is important to be aware of Dengue Fever — a mosquito-borne illness that is increasingly common in many popular holiday destinations.

Here’s what you need to know before you travel.

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue Fever is a viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, which tends to bite during the day. It is most common in parts of Southeast Asia, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Pacific Islands.

There is no specific treatment for Dengue Fever, so prevention and early recognition are vital.

Recognising the Symptoms

Symptoms typically appear four to ten days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
Be alert for:

• A high temperature (fever) of 38°C or higher

• Severe headache

• Pain behind the eyes

• Muscle and joint pain (often severe, hence the nickname “breakbone fever”)

• Feeling or being sick

• Swollen glands

• A blotchy rash that may appear a few days after the fever starts

Most people recover fully within about a week, but some may experience more severe illness, such as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, which can be life-threatening without medical care.

Seek urgent medical help if you notice:

• Severe abdominal pain

• Persistent vomiting

• Bleeding gums or nose

• Blood in urine, stool, or vomit

• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

• Fatigue, irritability, or restlessness

What to Do if You Think You Have Dengue Fever

• Rest and stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

• Take paracetamol to relieve pain and lower fever.
  Avoid ibuprofen or aspirin, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.

• Seek medical advice immediately, especially if symptoms worsen after the fever subsides.

If you are abroad and feel unwell, contact your travel insurer’s medical helpline for advice on finding a suitable clinic or hospital.

When It’s Safe to Travel

• Do not travel if you are experiencing symptoms of Dengue Fever.

• Wait until you have fully recovered and have been cleared to fly by a doctor.

• If you have had a severe form of Dengue or needed hospital treatment, speak to a healthcare professional or contact SkyCare’s medical team for advice about safe return options, including medical escort flights if needed.

Flying too soon after Dengue Fever can increase the risk of complications, particularly because dehydration and low platelet counts can worsen at altitude.

Preventing Dengue Fever

There is currently no widely available vaccine for Dengue Fever for travellers from the UK, so prevention focuses on avoiding mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellent containing at least 50% DEET.

• Wear loose, long-sleeved clothing.

• Stay in accommodations with air conditioning or insect screens.

• Use mosquito nets if sleeping in open or unscreened areas.

• Avoid areas with standing water where mosquitoes breed.

Be extra cautious during early morning and late afternoon, when Aedes mosquitoes are most active.

How SkyCare Can Help

If you fall ill abroad and need assistance returning to the UK, SkyCare is here to help.
Our medical repatriation and air ambulance services can arrange safe, professional care to bring you home, even if you are recovering from an infectious illness like Dengue Fever.

For advice or urgent assistance, contact our SkyCare medical team 24/7.

Stay safe, travel smart, and remember – your health always comes first.

Reviewed by Dr Lee Collier – SkyCare Repatriation on 11/04/2025 | next review due 11/04/2027 | published on 13/04/2025