Topic: Secondary infection and reinfection

Ken’s fight with dengue began back home after his holiday

In this candid testimonial, Ken recounts his experience of contracting the dengue fever virus following his return from the Maldives. He describes feeling feverish and bedridden, highlighting the severe muscle and bone pain that earned dengue its nickname, ‘break bone fever.’ While acknowledging that dengue affects individuals differently (indeed, severe dengue is not a common occurrence among people infected with dengue), this traveler shares the challenging nature of his own battle with the virus.

This video features real individuals sharing their experiences with dengue. The video reflects a patient’s specific experience and is not intended to represent those of a typical patient. Given the nature of dengue, symptoms and experiences will vary.

Melina’s daughter had battled dengue during the COVID pandemic

This video describes a mother's unusual experience when her daughter becomes ill with dengue during the COVID pandemic. About 1 in 4 people with dengue develop symptoms.^1,2 Melina consults a pediatrician, who confirms the diagnosis of dengue after a blood test. As her daughter battles high fever, body pain, headaches, and extreme itching, Melina emphasizes the importance of dengue prevention, even within the home.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/healthcare-providers/clinical-presentation.html. Accessed March 2024.
World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue. Accessed March 2024.

5 facts about dengue

Discover five important dengue facts for travelers in this animated video. Learn about the transmission of dengue through mosquito bites, its global prevalence in over 125 countries, the levels of infection severity, the increased risk with second infections, and preventive measures travelers can take, urging viewers to consult their doctors for medical advice.

A grandmother worries for her grandchild with dengue

Camila, a creative child who loves painting alarmed her grandmother when she appeared unusually pale and weak one day. Camila had pains all over and it turned out that she had dengue which greatly worried both her and her grandmother. She may have contracted dengue during a school trip to a mosquito-infested area. There was a missed spot on her body without insect repellent as she had a scab there and Camila wonders if a mosquito could have bitten her there.

Dengue made it on to Sophie’s travel itinerary

Sophie contracted dengue fever when she was 15 years old while visiting the Bahamas. She was informally diagnosed with dengue by a doctor based on her symptoms and the high likelihood as there was a local epidemic at the time. Sophie became very ill (as is the case with about 5% of people who have symptomatic dengue)¹ and her experience has changed the way she now travels. To ease her concerns about getting dengue again, she is now more aware of, and takes, protective measures when travelling to an area of risk.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/healthcare-providers/clinical-presentation.html. Accessed March 2024.

Mosquitoes around the swimming pool? Natasha’s story

Natasha reflects on becoming ill with dengue and thinks she may have been infected when visiting a swimming pool at night – a place at which she often spends time with her friends. Natasha received treatment in hospital where she was given saline through an IV. Although only about 1 in 4 dengue cases are symptomatic¹, Natasha is now worried about getting dengue again from places where she “hangs around a lot” with her friends, such as the swimming pool. Natasha’s advice to people living in dengue endemic countries is to “always keep in mind you could get dengue at any time”.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/healthcare-providers/clinical-presentation.html. Accessed March 2024.