People with dengue need two kinds of precautions: (1) to prevent complications if already infected, and (2) to prevent further mosquito transmission and new infections. Below is a structured, practical guide.

1. If you already have dengue

A. Rest and fluids

  • Take plenty of rest ; avoid exercise, sports, and heavy physical work during illness and at least a week after fever settles.
  • Drink lots of fluids: water, ORS, homemade soups, coconut water, thin juices (if not contraindicated by your doctor).
  • Watch for signs of dehydration: very dry mouth, little or no urine, dizziness, extreme weakness.

B. Medicines: what to take, what to avoid

  • For fever and body pain, use paracetamol (acetaminophen) at the dose advised by a doctor or per label.
  • Do not take:
    • Aspirin.
* Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs (diclofenac, naproxen, etc.).
  • These drugs can increase bleeding risk and may worsen liver or stomach problems in dengue.

C. Watch for danger signs (need urgent hospital care)

Go to an emergency department or call a doctor immediately if any of these appear:

  • Severe or persistent abdominal pain.
  • Repeated vomiting, especially if unable to keep fluids down.
  • Bleeding: gums, nose, blood in vomit or stool, heavy menstrual bleeding.
  • Extreme fatigue, restlessness, confusion, or irritability.
  • Very cold, clammy hands and feet, or feeling faint on standing.
  • Difficulty breathing.

These can indicate severe dengue and are medical emergencies.

D. Extra precautions during and after recovery

  • Avoid vigorous brushing of teeth, nose picking, or rough shaving if your platelets are low (to reduce bleeding risk).
  • Avoid contact sports and heavy lifting for a while after recovery, especially if your doctor mentions low platelets or bleeding risk.
  • Keep all follow‑up visits and lab tests recommended by your doctor; dengue can worsen around the time the fever starts to come down.

2. Prevent mosquito bites (to protect yourself and others)

Dengue spreads through Aedes mosquitoes, which bite mainly during the day. Someone with dengue can infect mosquitoes, which then infect others, so bite prevention protects the whole community.

A. Personal protection

  • Wear long‑sleeved shirts and long pants; preferably loose, light‑coloured clothing.
  • Apply mosquito repellent on exposed skin:
    • Products with DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are recommended.
* Follow label instructions carefully; reapply as directed.
  • Use mosquito nets:
    • Sleep under a treated mosquito net, even for daytime naps.
  • Keep mosquitoes out of rooms:
    • Close doors and windows, or use screens/blinds.
* Use coils, vaporizers, or indoor insecticides if appropriate.

If you have dengue, try especially hard to avoid being bitten in the first days of illness so mosquitoes do not pick up the virus from you.

B. Household and neighborhood measures

  • Remove stagnant water at least once a week:
* Empty, scrub, or cover water containers (buckets, drums, flower vases, coolers).
* Don’t let water collect in old tyres, plant pot plates, broken bottles, or trash.
  • Keep water tanks and storage containers tightly covered.
  • Ensure proper waste disposal and keep surroundings clean so containers do not collect rainwater.

3. If you are travelling to dengue‑prone areas

  • Stay in rooms that are screened or air‑conditioned.
  • Use nets and repellents consistently, especially during the day and early evening.
  • Check current dengue situation for your destination via public health updates (as dengue outbreaks can be seasonal and vary year to year).

4. Mini dengue precaution checklist (Quick Scoop)

  1. Rest a lot, drink plenty of fluids, and use only paracetamol for fever/pain (no ibuprofen/aspirin).
  1. Monitor for danger signs like abdominal pain, bleeding, persistent vomiting, or extreme weakness; seek urgent care if they appear.
  1. Wear long sleeves/pants, use recommended mosquito repellents, and sleep under treated nets.
  1. Eliminate stagnant water around home and keep water containers tightly covered.
  1. If you have dengue, take extra care to avoid mosquito bites for the first few days so you do not transmit the virus via mosquitoes to others.

Bottom note

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here. Important: This is general information and does not replace consultation with a qualified doctor. Always follow the advice of your own healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of dengue.