Dengue Fever - anyone contracted it?

[Sheryl]

Lots of TV members have ghad it, myself included 9do a search for "dengue"in the health forum and you'll find several threads).

But the rash usually comes late in the illness, would have fever with chills, headache and general aches and pains first. If only a rash and no history of fever then dengue is very unlikely.

Also this is not peak season for it.

[Nowisee]

After my first 5 weeks here I woke up at 2am with the shits, then an hour or two later power puked everything up. Layed in bed for 3 days with complete fatigue, sweating and then shivering and sleeping for hours... drank water/gatorade and ate white rice and bananas... Lost several pounds. Don't remember a distinct rash of any kind. Didn't go to the doctor.

Not sure what I had. Could have been food poison for all I know.

Interesting comment about the post depression... I had that too... or maybe it was just because I had been here less than 2 months and was adjusting to this wonderful life here...hahaha and the new case of rhoids from the post sickness constipation and weight loss...

I never gained back all the weight... I am about 20lbs less than when I left US.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Nowisee

[Loles]

I got it three years ago.

It was so weird the first 2 days I felt like a strong hangover. I thought I got sickness from bad food.

My fever was around 39 - 40 C during the next 2-3 days.

I was so weak and dumpy. Didn't like anything. Couldn't eat but drank a lot. I drank many gaterade, this helped to avoid desiccation.

I used medicines only against fever and dam_n headache. Didn't visit doctor cause first I had not power to go than I got better.

Than I got quick recovery but I never forget this dam_n feeling.

But I got lot of experiences also, I had lot of Thai and western friends but when I had this problem I had only 2, one of them a Thai girl Pu, and the other an Aussy guy Benny boy.

Thanks for them again for take care of me.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Loles

[pogal]

We have noticed many cases of dengue in the last month, from young to old, farang and Thai.

I am surprised by the prevalence of it in central Bangkok, and also surprised to hear little about it. It may just be coincidence that we have had many cases in my area (Tong-Lor) but I doubt it.

As you can see by the contributions to this forum the symptoms are varied. Some people hardly notice it while others get hit hard and of course the occasional death.

I always use lots of cream when I'm out working in the streets, and feel lucky I've never contracted it but for the most part if you get it, it will just put you out for a week or two if you are under a doctors care. It's very important to seek early treatment for the symptoms.

http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/faqFacts/fact.html

[Chrisillingworth]

Have just got out of Nathon hospital with the fever, was in for 3 day's on a drip, it's a bastard of a thing, you dont want to eat or drink, sweaty and tired, if you have those symtoms get in for a blood check at the nearest hospital

[Emster23]

I live in Jomtien, and have had it twice. Once last year, and then maybe 3 years ago. Both times lasted 8 days. Went to doc, got some shots (who knows what?), electrolytes. Not fun, and comes on very very fast. Not much hospital can do besides charge you lots and give you a drip. Rode it out both times at home.

[FritsSikkink]

Couple of days fever, headache, tired. After that red rash and tired for another couple of weeks.

There are 4 types of denghue. Go see a doctor if your ill, he /she should have has more knowledge than this forum.

[Keesters]

Got it in Pattaya some years ago. Felt like ****. I thought it was dengue and went to BPH for confirmation. 9,000 baht and over a week later doctor confirmed it was dengue. Then said no cure just ride it out. Friend got it a few weeks later. He went to memorial hospital. 500 baht for blood test 30 minutes later confirmed dengue and told to ride it out, no aspirin, plenty fluids.

Been informed that once you've had it you can't get it again. Or at least can't get the same strain of which I'm told there are 4.

Best wishes and hope you get well soon.

[balford]

It's called 'break bone fever' in northern Australia and that's exactly what it feels like along with the symptoms related in other responses here.

I contracted it in Malaysia when I was there with the RAAF in 1969-70 and felt like death warmed up. I had a recurrence in Darwin in December 2012, despite the medicos saying that just doesn't happen, but it wasn't quite so bad - I was able to put up with it and hydrating with plenty of water and Lucosade helped a lot.

Cheers,

Bob A.

Lampang

[luis888]

I have contracted dengue twice in Thailand, and make no mistake, if you have it, you`re know it.

Normally starts off as a flu symptom, then the whole body begins to ache, especially the bones, a mild purple coloured rash may appear on the body, your energy saps away and eventually it becomes difficult to stand upright or function.

There is absolutely no cure for dengue, all the doctors can do is observe the patient, make as comfortable as possible and hope for the best. If the patient does not contract a severe form and not haemorrhage within the first 5 days, than they usually recover. Complete recovery can take up to two months, perhaps longer if the person does not have a strong immune system.

damn, I've never heard of this, it almost sounds like Maleria, I was in Sukhothai last year December (sorry 2012) and was attacked by mozzis, sounds like I was lucky, ran away to Pattaya and went to the hospital (I think in sooi 2) as the itching was driving me crazy, my legs and feet looked like I had a rash, but some tabs and ointment that they prescribed and in about 2 weeks all sorted.

Edited January 6, 2014 by luis888

[khunPer]

Can be real nasty. Only cure seems to be papaya leave juice, squeezed from fresh leaves. You can find more details on the Internet; scholar.google.com will show the scientific studies.

[Big Pinkie]

The one concession I made was to have daily blood checks at a local haematology lab that had literally opened 2 weeks earlier - quite a surprise to find that in our small town.

sounds very suspicious. yeah i dont trust these health ppl at all.

[Big Pinkie]

The one concession I made was to have daily blood checks at a local haematology lab that had literally opened 2 weeks earlier - quite a surprise to find that in our small town.

sounds very suspicious. yeah i dont trust these health ppl at all.

example the small town i am currently in has at least two dentists, the two i see do a roaring trade always people hanging around queuing there. every street vendor in town sells food loaded with sugar far beyond what most street vendors in other places would have, its so sweet that i know better now than to buy from and of them, new ones pop-up any they too will be loaded with sugar.so ask yourself why would this be so?

Edited January 6, 2014 by Big Pinkie

[Big Pinkie]

The one concession I made was to have daily blood checks at a local haematology lab that had literally opened 2 weeks earlier - quite a surprise to find that in our small town.

sounds very suspicious. yeah i dont trust these health ppl at all.

example the small town i am currently in has at least two dentists, the two i see do a roaring trade always people hanging around queuing there. every street vendor in town sells food loaded with sugar far beyond what most street vendors in other places would have, its so sweet that i know better now than to buy from and of them, new ones pop-up any they too will be loaded with sugar.so ask yourself why would this be so?

the capitalist/democratic system is broken and has been broken for a long time now. those who benifit from it are very unlikely to change it. no this isnt a plug for suthep, something else needs to happen. hmm breakfast time already.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Big Pinkie

[fifthcolumn]

Yes, in Pattaya. Endemic there was told by nurse. Was nearly ten years ago. Was lazy about leaving screens open for air circulation. Notbing has been done in Thailand so must be as bad now or worse.

[jerry1989]

as far as my experience is concerned,

1st, 2nd day: fever

3rd: rashes on both arms with swelling

4th: reddish and swollen body, face to feet

6th: couldnt walk, couldnt eat, zero taste buds, nosebleeding at its worst

7th: confined at the hospital; dengue fever!

watch out!

[Thongkorn]

as far as my experience is concerned,

1st, 2nd day: fever

3rd: rashes on both arms with swelling

4th: reddish and swollen body, face to feet

6th: couldnt walk, couldnt eat, zero taste buds, nosebleeding at its worst

7th: confined at the hospital; dengue fever!

watch out!

you forgot no known antidote. or prevention.

[scubascuba3]

You'd think a blood transfusion would help if its killing the platelets

[connda]

If you don't have a high fever, you don't have Dengue. I've had it. It doesn't start with a rash.

[scubascuba3]

Id had a fever previous to the rash that's why I got paranoid, but looking at the posts the symptoms are severe and perhaps can't be missed

[thaibook]

Am in Pattaya and had dengue haemorrhagic fever early last month. A bit of a surprise as I imagined this was only prevalent during the rainy season.

From the OP's comments I would say you are unlikely to have it. However, if you have any doubts at all, I would definitely recommend a check-up. Any delay in treatment can be serious.

My experience was:

1st day - sudden onset of a hot fever

2nd day - still feeling hot and lethargic but not as bad as 1st day, so thought I was improving.

3rd day - the fever heightened with an all over rash being evident. That drove me to go to the hospital.

4th day - doctor had me admitted on the spot.

Was in hospital for 5 days. The fever reduced by about the 3rd day but the blood count was still reducing daily until the last night. That was the danger period as, until the blood count started rising, going into 'shock' was a concern. Luckily that didn't happen and I was released the next day. Felt like death warmed up, full of aches + pains.

Luckily I was covered by my company health insurance.

I was due to travel to Cairo, for a week's work assignment, a few days after coming down with the fever, and actually travelled a week after release from hospital. That delay was advised by the doctor as for that 1st week after release I was feeling sooo tired!! Shudder to think what my situation would have been like if the fever had broken whilst I was in Cairo.

Been out for 3 weeks now and almost, but not quite, back to 'normal'.

The doctor's parting comment was: watch out for mosquitos, there are four strains of the fever and you are only resistant to one, Easier said than done!!

I caught dengue haemorrhagic fever in 2008. It manifested itself at the end of a holiday with my wife in Japan. Rather than go to a Japanese hospital I insisted on flying back to LOS. It was night and we took a taxi from the airport to a small hospital where my wife's family always go. I was admitted and the following morning the specialist was beaming as he examined me. "You have the classical symptoms of dengue haemorrhagic fever - just like in the text books" he chortled. I had drips, was forbidden to shave etc and did not feel well with a high fever. The nurses were very nice - there was always one volunteering to carry my drip if I wanted to go to the bathroom and offering to bring me whatever food I wanted if I did not like that provided, but I did not feel like eating at all.

I was told that the first attack is rarely fatal if treated properly but subsequent ones can be. However as I am not aware of a Dengue test for mosquitos before they land on me, there is not much I can do about it.

Edited January 9, 2014 by thaibook

[fazbender]

I contracted it last year here in Pattaya. Just the worst headache ever in the world. I was not right for over 6 weeks. Spent 3 days in hospital.

You don't think you have it you know.

[dank]

I also had it 2 years ago suspect l contracted it in pattaya. This was the second time l had it and ended up in hospital again it definitely took longer to get over the second time.

I would not wish it on anyone the weak feeling and headaches are not a good experience

Sent from my GT-N7105T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[curious0one]

yes its about, as is Chikungunya. how bad they knock seems individually tailored.

if your an active competitive sports person you may count on being out of that loop for a year in some cases. yes its no joke but mostly not life threatening. there is something else around with similar symptoms and long term consequences, best i can make out is that something else one is a food borne vector. yes been stung more than once with each.

something else food borne and similar try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis