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Dengue Fever in Malaysia: 7 Warning Signs You Must Know (2025) | KLINIK SERI MEDICLINIC

Protect Your Family from Malaysia’s Deadliest Mosquito Disease

📍 Seri Mediclinic – Dengue Treatment & Screening


Why Malaysians Must Know About Dengue

Dengue fever affects thousands of Malaysians every year, with cases rising during rainy seasons. Unlike regular fever, dengue can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Knowing the warning signs helps you act fast and potentially save lives.

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes bite during daytime, especially early morning and before sunset. They breed in stagnant water around homes – flower pots, containers, roof gutters, and discarded items.

The 7 Warning Signs of Dengue

1. High Sudden Fever (38.5°C or higher) Fever comes suddenly and stays high for 2-7 days. Unlike regular flu that builds up gradually, dengue fever spikes quickly.

2. Severe Headache Intense headache, especially behind the eyes. Moving your eyes can be painful. This is different from normal headaches.

3. Body and Joint Pain Severe muscle and joint pain, earning dengue the nickname “breakbone fever.” Your whole body feels extremely sore and weak.

4. Skin Rash Red rash appears 2-5 days after fever starts. It can be spotty or cover large areas. The rash may be itchy.

5. Nausea and Vomiting Loss of appetite, feeling sick, and vomiting. You may not be able to keep food or water down.

6. Mild Bleeding Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, easy bruising, or blood spots under skin. Women may have heavier periods.

7. Extreme Fatigue Feeling extremely tired and weak even after fever reduces. Recovery takes time.


Danger Signs – Seek Emergency Care Immediately

These symptoms mean severe dengue requiring urgent hospital care:

  • Severe stomach pain
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Vomiting blood
  • Bleeding from nose or gums
  • Blood in stool (black, tarry)
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Rapid weak pulse
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Severe lethargy

Don’t wait – go to hospital immediately if you see these signs.


Three Phases of Dengue

Phase 1: Febrile (Days 1-3) High fever, body pain, headache. Most contagious period. Stay home to avoid spreading through mosquito bites.

Phase 2: Critical (Days 4-6) Fever drops but this is the dangerous period. Watch for warning signs. Blood platelet count may drop dangerously low.

Phase 3: Recovery (Days 7-10) Fever gone, appetite returns. Full recovery takes 2-4 weeks. Rest is important.


How Dengue Spreads

The Aedes Mosquito:

  • Striped black and white
  • Bites during day
  • Breeds in clean stagnant water
  • Lives near humans
  • Female mosquitoes bite

How It Spreads:

  1. Mosquito bites infected person
  2. Virus develops in mosquito
  3. Mosquito bites healthy person
  4. Person gets infected
  5. Symptoms appear 4-7 days later

Cannot spread by:

  • Person to person contact
  • Sharing food or drinks
  • Touching or hugging
  • Breathing the same air

Who is at Higher Risk?

High Risk Groups:

  • Children and elderly
  • Pregnant women
  • People with chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease)
  • Those with weakened immune systems
  • Second-time dengue infection (more severe)

Where Risk is Higher:

  • Urban areas with many people
  • Areas with poor drainage
  • Construction sites
  • During rainy season
  • In dengue hotspot areas

Testing for Dengue

Blood Tests:

  • NS1 antigen (early detection, days 1-5)
  • Dengue IgM/IgG antibody
  • Full blood count (platelet check)

When to Test:

  • Fever for 2-3 days
  • Suspected dengue symptoms
  • Living in dengue hotspot area
  • After known mosquito exposure

Testing at Seri Mediclinic: Quick results, same day testing available, panel coverage accepted for dengue screening.


Treatment and Care

No Specific Dengue Medicine: Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications.

Home Care (Mild Cases):

  • Rest completely
  • Drink lots of fluids (water, coconut water, ORS)
  • Take paracetamol for fever and pain
  • Monitor temperature and symptoms
  • Watch for danger signs

Important:

  • Don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen (increases bleeding risk)
  • Don’t take antibiotics (dengue is viral)
  • See doctor if symptoms worsen

Hospital Care (Severe Cases):

  • IV fluids
  • Blood transfusion if needed
  • Close monitoring
  • Platelet count management

Preventing Dengue – The 5S Strategy

1. Search and Destroy Check weekly for stagnant water in:

  • Flower pots and saucers
  • Containers and buckets
  • Old tires
  • Roof gutters
  • Air conditioner trays
  • Water storage tanks

Empty, clean, or cover all containers.

2. Secure

  • Install mosquito screens on windows
  • Use mosquito nets while sleeping
  • Keep doors and windows closed during peak hours

3. Seek Early Treatment Don’t delay seeing doctor if fever persists beyond 2 days.

4. Say No to Aedes

  • Don’t allow water collection
  • Report breeding sites to authorities
  • Community fogging when needed

5. Self-Protection

  • Wear long sleeves and pants
  • Use mosquito repellent
  • Stay in air-conditioned rooms
  • Avoid outdoor activities dawn and dusk

Dengue in Malaysian Context

Peak Seasons:

  • Rainy months (October-February)
  • Post-monsoon period
  • School holiday periods

High-Risk Areas:

  • Selangor, KL, Johor have highest cases
  • Urban residential areas
  • Construction zones
  • Schools and workplaces

Government Efforts:

  • Regular fogging in hotspots
  • Public awareness campaigns
  • Mosquito breeding checks
  • Community involvement programs

Myths vs Facts

Myth: Dengue only happens once Fact: You can get dengue up to 4 times (4 dengue types). Second infection is often more severe.

Myth: Fogging kills all mosquitoes Fact: Fogging is temporary. Removing breeding sites is more effective.

Myth: Papaya leaf juice cures dengue Fact: No scientific proof. May help platelets but not a cure. See doctor.

Myth: Dengue only spreads in dirty areas Fact: Aedes breeds in clean water. Clean homes can have dengue too.


Recovery and Follow-up

During Recovery:

  • Continue resting 2-4 weeks
  • Eat nutritious food
  • Stay hydrated
  • Avoid strenuous activities
  • Follow-up blood tests if needed

When to Return to Work/School:

  • Fever completely gone
  • Feeling stronger
  • Eating normally
  • Doctor’s clearance

Long-term Effects: Most people recover fully. Some experience prolonged fatigue for weeks.


Protect Your Family Today

Dengue is preventable with awareness and action. Check your home weekly for mosquito breeding sites. Seek medical care early if fever develops. Early treatment prevents complications.

Get Tested for Dengue Fever

📍 Seri Mediclinic – Fast Dengue Testing

Our Services: ✅ Dengue NS1 screening ✅ Full blood count ✅ Platelet monitoring ✅ Treatment and care ✅ Follow-up consultation ✅ Health advice

Silibin, Ipoh: ⏰ Daily 8AM-10PM 🚶 Walk-in for fever

Kampar: ⏰ Daily 8AM-10PM 🚶 No appointment needed

Panel Coverage: 💳 AIA | PM Care | MI Care accepted

📞 Call for same-day consultation

Don’t delay dengue treatment. Early care prevents complications.

Act fast. Stay safe. Protect your family from dengue.


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