Dengue fever treatment in Patong
Dengue is common in Phuket, and Patong sees cases all year with a clear rise in the rainy season. If you have a high fever, a pounding headache and aching muscles and joints a few days after being bitten, you should get checked. Dengue fever treatment in Patong starts with a simple blood test, and we can do that today.
Dengue is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This one bites during the day, not just at dusk, which surprises a lot of visitors. It breeds in small pools of still water around buildings, so towns like Patong suit it well.
Symptoms of dengue fever
Symptoms usually begin 4 to 10 days after an infected mosquito bites you. The common ones are:
- Sudden high fever, often 39°C or above
- Severe headache, classically behind the eyes
- Bad muscle and joint pain, which is why it was called breakbone fever
- Feeling sick, vomiting and no appetite
- A red rash appearing a few days in
- Heavy tiredness that lingers for weeks
Plenty of people get flu, food poisoning and dengue mixed up in the first two days. They can look identical. That is exactly why the blood test matters.
Dengue testing in Patong
We use a rapid blood test that looks for the NS1 antigen and dengue antibodies. It takes a small sample from your arm and results come back quickly, usually the same visit.
We also run a full blood count, because that is where dengue shows itself. We watch your platelet count and your white cells. A falling platelet count is the number we care about most, and it is the reason we ask people to come back for repeat bloods rather than testing once and sending them away.
How dengue is treated
There is no medicine that kills the dengue virus. Your immune system clears it. What good treatment does is support your body while that happens and catch the small number of people who get worse.
That means careful fluid management, which is the single most important part. Many people cannot drink enough because they are vomiting, so we give fluids through an IV drip. We treat the fever and pain with paracetamol.
One warning worth reading twice: do not take ibuprofen, aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs if dengue is possible. They raise the risk of bleeding when your platelet count is already dropping. Paracetamol only, until a doctor tells you otherwise.
Daily monitoring and warning signs
Most people recover fully at home with rest, fluids and paracetamol. We usually ask you to come back each day for repeat blood tests during the risky window, which is normally days 3 to 7, around the time the fever breaks.
Go to a doctor or hospital immediately if you notice:
- Bad stomach pain or repeated vomiting
- Bleeding from the gums or nose, or unusual bruising
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Cold, clammy skin, or feeling faint when standing
- Restlessness, confusion or extreme drowsiness
These are the warning signs of severe dengue, including dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. They are not common, but they are treatable when caught early and dangerous when missed.
Recovery and getting home
The fever usually breaks after about a week. The tiredness lasts longer, often two to four weeks, and that catches people out. Be kind to yourself and do not plan a hard trek the week after.
If you are due to fly, tell us. We will assess you and, if you are well enough, write a fit to fly certificate. We also prepare the reports and receipts your travel insurance will want.
Common questions about dengue fever in Patong
How soon can I get a dengue test result?
The rapid test is usually back within the same visit. Full blood counts come back quickly too.
Can I catch dengue from another person?
No. It only passes through mosquito bites, not from person to person.
Can I get dengue twice?
Yes, and a second infection with a different strain carries a higher risk of severe illness. Take mosquito protection seriously even if you have had it before.
Do I need to stay in hospital?
Most people do not. We treat the majority as outpatients with daily blood checks. If your platelet count drops far or warning signs appear, we arrange hospital admission.
How do I avoid being bitten in Patong?
Use repellent with DEET during the day, not just at night. Cover up at dawn and dusk, use air conditioning or nets, and tip out standing water on balconies.