Topic: Dengue prevention and protection

17-year-old Francisco from Argentina began feeling unwell whilst watching a football match with his brother. By the time the game was over, he began to experience symptoms which included a high temperature and noticed a rash. The next day, he began vomiting and was admitted to hospital with dengue fever. Francisco’s father Alejandro describes his ‘deep sense of worry’ for his child, as he didn’t know how the situation would develop. After a few days, Francisco began to recover from his dengue symptoms and was discharged from hospital. But his ‘life changed’, and, following his unusual experience with dengue, he was unable to return to school with the other children for nearly six weeks. Although only around 5% of people with dengue fever develop severe dengue,¹ Francisco admits he didn’t appreciate how serious dengue symptoms in children can be and urges others to protect themselves from this mosquito-borne disease.

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.

1. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/hcp/clinical-signs/ Accessed November 2024.

Natacha, from Brazil, has spent most of her teenage years as a wheelchair user since contracting dengue fever twice at the age of just 14. Although only around 1 in 20 people with dengue fever develop severe dengue,¹ Natasha's story is an especially rare and unique case, particularly in the context of dengue disease outcomes; she experienced serious dengue symptoms including significant weight loss and extreme weakness in her legs, which left her unable to walk. She reflects upon the impact that severe dengue had on herself and her family, their disbelief at what happened and the joy they experienced as she slowly began to recover from her symptoms of dengue. Today, Natacha emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle whilst being vigilant about dengue prevention measures.

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.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/hcp/clinical-signs/ Accessed November 2024.

Devi reflects on her family’s second encounter with dengue fever. Her child came home from school feeling normal, but later that day she became unwell, experiencing symptoms such as body pain, fever, loss of appetite, and extreme tiredness. Devi took her child to hospital where she was admitted and later tested positive for dengue. COVID-related restrictions on visitors meant it was a difficult time for the whole family. Fearing dengue complications, Devi was awake all night checking her daughter’s temperature, but thankfully her child went on to make a full recovery from her symptoms. Although only around 1 in 4 people with dengue experience symptoms,¹ Devi emphasizes the importance of awareness of dengue symptoms and prevention of this disease in both adults and children.

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.

1. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/hcp/clinical-signs/ Accessed November 2024.