Am I at risk?

3 min read
Dengue mosquito bite itch, dengue fever can cause a rash
Dengue mosquito bite itch, dengue fever can cause a rash

Do you know if you’re at risk of dengue?

About half the world’s population is now vulnerable to dengue infection.1 However, the risk of getting ill from dengue, or of an existing dengue infection becoming more severe, depends on many factors.1-3 Let’s consider some of these dengue risk factors below.

 

Risk factors for dengue

Pre-existing conditions increase risk of dengue fever

1. Pre-existing conditions

 

If you already have certain ongoing or pre-existing conditions at the time you become infected with dengue, there is a higher chance of it progressing to a more severe infection.2 These conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.2 Find out why pre-existing conditions can increase your risk of severe dengue here.

Age

2. Age

 

Old age can increase the risk of severe dengue outcomes.4 On the other hand, young children can be at greater risk of developing severe dengue and complications than healthy adults.5 Learn more about how age can be a risk factor and the impacts of dengue in children.

Dengue symptoms can be more severe with re-infection. Dengue fever risk higher if you have already been infected

3. Weight

 

Obesity has been linked to longer hospital stays for patients with dengue.6 Scientists believe that obesity can weaken the immune system’s response to infections such as dengue.6

Reinfection

4. Reinfection

 

There are four different strains of the dengue virus. This means you can be infected more than once (but with a different strain).7 In fact, a second infection with a different strain is more likely to cause severe dengue symptoms than the first infection.7

If travelling abroad, consider dengue risk factors at your destination

Dengue is spread to people through the bites of infected Aedes species mosquitoes.1,8 Your dengue risk when you travel will depend on various factors.3

 

Dengue fever risk varies worldwide. Certain travel destinations may have a higher prevalence of dengue mosquito

1. Destination

 

Dengue can be widespread in areas with warm and humid climates such as parts of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Central/South America, as these conditions suit mosquitoes.9,10 However, dengue is becoming more common in parts of Europe and North America too.1,11

Dengue mosquito activity occurs in rural and urban surroundings causing dengue fever

2. Your surroundings

 

Though originally considered an urban disease, people can also be infected with dengue in rural areas too.12,13

Dengue mosquito can bite night and day, dengue fever can be caused at any time of day

3. The time of day you are out

 

Dengue carrying mosquitoes mainly bite during the day (but they can also be active at night).14

Dengue fever risk increases with length of time in dengue mosquito areas. More likely to develop dengue symptoms with longer exposure to the dengue mosquito

4. How long you stay at your destination

 

Staying for longer at your destination means a higher chance of being exposed to dengue-carrying mosquitoes.3

Adding up the risks

Most of the time, dengue tends to be a mild disease: 1 in 4 or so, of people who are infected experience symptoms.1,15 However, about 1 in 20 of the people who do experience symptoms can have their infection progress to severe dengue which is a life-threatening medical emergency.5,15 

 

For additional information on dengue risk factors, check out the risk tool here.

 

Remember though, this tool is not a substitute for medical advice – you should consult your doctor if you want a personal risk assessment.

Related content
Dengue fever a leading cause of illness for those living in dengue mosquito areas
Dengue: What factors make you vulnerable?
Investigate the vulnerabilities to dengue that can cause increased risks of severe complications and death, such as pre-existing conditions and advanced age, prompting essential precautions and travel considerations.
7 mins

References

  1. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue Accessed December2023.

  2. Sangkaew S, et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021;21(7):1014-1026.

  3. Wilder-Smith A. 2012;32 Suppl 1(s1):28-32.

  4. Huang N, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023;29(8):1701-1702.

  5. UNICEF. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/rosa/stories/dengue-how-keep-children-safe Accessed November 2023

  6. Tan VPK, et al. PLoS One. 2018;13(7):e0200698.

  7. Soo KM, et al. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0154760.

  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/transmission/index.html Accessed December 2023

  9. NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dengue/ Accessed December 2023

  10. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Available at: https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-climate-change-and-planetary-health/infectious-diseases Accessed December 2023.

  11. Nakase T, et al. Sci Data. 2023;10(1):275.

  12. Man O, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2023;17(6):e0011333

  13. Overgaard HJ, et al. Parasit Vectors. 2017;10(1):356.

  14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/dengue Accessed December 2023.

  15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/symptoms/index.html Accessed November 2023.