Management and Treatment

How is dengue fever treated?

There’s no medicine that treats dengue fever. Your healthcare provider will give you recommendations on how to manage your symptoms and if and when you should go to the ER.

How do I manage the symptoms of dengue fever?

Managing your symptoms is the only way to treat dengue fever. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations, which may include:

• Keeping yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fluids.
• Getting as much rest as possible.
• Treating pain with acetaminophen(like Tylenol®) only.
• Do not take ibuprofen (like Advil®) or aspirin. This can increase your risk of life-threatening internal bleeding.

Mosquito protection

The best way to reduce your risk of dengue fever is to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain 20% to 30% DEET or other ingredients known to help keep Aedes mosquitos away.
• Cover exposed skin outdoors, especially at night when mosquitos are more likely to be around.
• Remove standing water (buckets or barrels, bird baths, old tires that may hold rainwater) and fill low spots where water can pool.
• Keep mosquitos outside of your home by repairing holes in screens and keeping windows and doors closed if possible.
• Use mosquito netting at night in areas where dengue is common.
• If you’re pregnant, avoid traveling to areas where dengue is common if possible.
• When traveling, be sure to check with the CDC to understand if there are any outbreaks of illness in your destination before you leave.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you live in or have recently visited an area where dengue is common, contact your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms of dengue. They will give you recommendations on how to take care of yourself and when to seek additional treatment.