High fever, body ache or chills? How to tell dengue from other monsoon fevers

As the monsoon brings relief from the summer heat, it also marks the season when mosquito-borne and water-borne diseases begin to rise. Many people develop fever, body aches and headaches during this time, making it difficult to know whether they have a simple viral infection or something more serious like dengue, malaria or typhoid.

The challenge is that these illnesses often begin with similar symptoms. In the first few days, almost all of them can cause fever, weakness and body pain. However, each disease has its own pattern and warning signs. Recognising these differences early can help people seek medical care at the right time and reduce the risk of serious complications.

According to Dr Rommel Tickoo, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, dengue is often marked by a sudden high fever along with severe body pain, headache and pain behind the eyes. Unlike a common viral fever, dengue can become dangerous after a few days if it is not diagnosed and managed properly. He also cautions against taking certain painkillers or antibiotics without medical advice if dengue is suspected.

Here's how doctors describe dengue apart from other common monsoon illnesses.

HOW IS DENGUE DIFFERENT FROM A VIRAL FEVER?

Many people assume that every fever during the rainy season is dengue. However, that is not true.

According to Dr Rommel Tickoo, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, dengue usually causes a sudden high fever of 102–103°F, accompanied by:

• Severe body aches
• Intense headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Vomiting in some patients

A skin rash may also appear after four to five days. More importantly, dengue can become complicated around this time if it remains undiagnosed or untreated.

A common viral fever, on the other hand, usually presents with:

• Mild to moderate fever
• Cough
• Cold
• Sore throat
• Mild body aches

Vomiting and skin rash are uncommon in most viral infections, and patients generally recover within a few days with rest and supportive care.

HOW IS MALARIA DIFFERENT?

Malaria follows a very different pattern.

Dr Tickoo explains that malaria typically causes:

• High-grade fever
• Chills and shivering
• Rigors
• Heavy sweating

The fever often comes in cycles, which is one of the key clues that helps doctors suspect malaria rather than dengue.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF TYPHOID?

Typhoid usually develops more gradually.

Unlike dengue, where fever starts suddenly, typhoid often causes a fever that slowly increases over several days.

Other common symptoms include:

• Persistent high fever lasting more than a week
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation or diarrhoea

Dr Tickoo says typhoid requires antibiotics once diagnosed, making early medical evaluation important.

CAN SYMPTOMS ALONE CONFIRM DENGUE?

No.

Dr Tickoo stresses that no single symptom can confirm dengue. During the first few days, many infections look very similar.

Doctors make the diagnosis based on:

• The patient's symptoms
• Medical history
• Physical examination
• Appropriate laboratory tests performed at the right time

This is why self-diagnosis based only on fever or body pain can be misleading.

WHICH MEDICINES SHOULD YOU AVOID IF DENGUE IS SUSPECTED?

One of the biggest mistakes people make is taking over-the-counter painkillers without consulting a doctor.

According to Dr Tickoo, dengue can cause platelet counts to fall. Certain medicines may increase the risk of bleeding or worsen complications.

If dengue is suspected, avoid taking these medicines unless advised by a doctor:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Diclofenac
• Naproxen

These drugs may:

• Increase the risk of bleeding
• Causes stomach irritation
• Affects kidney function, especially if the patient is dehydrated

Dr Tickoo also says there is no role for steroids or antibiotics in treating uncomplicated dengue because it is caused by a virus. Taking these medicines without medical supervision may lead to unnecessary complications.

DOES A LOW PLATELET COUNT ALWAYS MEAN DENGUE?

No.

A falling platelet count alone does not confirm dengue.

Platelet levels can decrease in several other infections and medical conditions. Doctors interpret platelet counts along with symptoms, physical findings and laboratory tests before making a diagnosis.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?

Seek medical attention immediately if you have:

• High fever above 102°F
• Severe headache or pain behind the eyes
• Persistent vomiting
• Severe body aches
• Rash
• Bleeding from the gums or nose
• Blood in vomit or stools
• Extreme weakness or confusion
• Difficulty drinking fluids

Early diagnosis can help doctors monitor the illness closely and prevent severe dengue.

PROTECT YOURSELF DURING THE MONSOON

Doctors advise people not to ignore persistent fever during the rainy season. Instead of self-medicating, consult a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen or continue for more than a couple of days.

To reduce your risk of dengue:

• Use mosquito repellents regularly.
• Wear full-sleeved clothing, especially during the day.
• Remove stagnant water from coolers, buckets, flower pots and other containers.
• Keep your surroundings clean to prevent mosquito breeding.
• Stay well hydrated if you develop a fever.

While not every fever is dengue, knowing the warning signs can make all the difference. Prompt medical evaluation, the right tests and avoiding unnecessary medicines can help ensure a faster recovery and prevent serious complications.