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How to Distinguish Dengue From COVID-19

How to Distinguish Dengue From COVID-19

The increased risk of dengue as the rainy season approaches may pose a challenge to distinguish it from COVID-19 due to parallel symptoms.

Medically Inspected by: Loreta D. Dayco, MD, Edilberto B. Garcia, Jr., MD, and Maria Christina H. Ventura, MD

Dengue is a disease that is consistently detected in the Philippines every year. According the Department of Health’s Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, there have been around 2,081,000 recorded cases for the disease from 2010 to 2019. Dengue is typically at its peak during the rainy season due to the heightened possibility of accumulating stagnant water that serve as breeding areas for dengue-bearing mosquitoes.

The increased risk of dengue as the rainy season approaches may pose a challenge to distinguish it from COVID-19 due to parallel symptoms.

Although dengue and COVID-19 may manifest with similar indicators, their causes, clinical management, and prevention practices may be different. To know which of the two a certain patient potentially has is important for healthcare professionals to recommend the right clinical care to address the illness. 

How do you know if it is dengue or if it is COVID-19?

It is important to note that both dengue and COVID-19 can manifest differently depending on each patient, and not all symptoms may be present in each case. 

  Dengue COVID-19
Symptoms High fever (40°C) accompanied by any of the following: 
  • aches or pains (pain behind the eyes, muscle pain, joint pain, or bone pain)
  • nausea or vomiting
  • rashes
Common symptoms include:
  • fever
  • dry cough
  • fatigue
  • loss of sense of smell or taste
Other symptoms include:
  • shortness of breath
  • muscle ache
  • chills
  • headache
  • runny nose
  • diarrhea
  • sore throat
  • rashes
Symptoms of severe dengue cases that may require hospitalization include:
  • pain or tenderness in the stomach area
  • vomiting at least three times in one day
  • blood in vomit or stool
  • bleeding in the nose or gums
  • fatigue
Symptoms of severe COVID-19 cases that may require hospitalization include:
  • difficulty breathing
  • consistent chest pain
  • inability to wake up or stay awake
  • pale complexion
Onset Symptoms appear four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito Symptoms appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus
Duration of illness Symptoms usually last for two to seven days Symptoms usually last for one to two weeks in mild cases, but some symptoms may persist even after recovery (long COVID).
At-risk population
  • Children
  • Those living in communities where dengue-bearing mosquitoes are rampant
  • Those who have had dengue in the past are at risk of getting a more severe case of dengue
  • Elderly
  • Those with underlying conditions or comorbidities
  • Those who are unvaccinated
Treatment There is no treatment for dengue, but its symptoms can be managed by:
  • Taking Paracetamol to alleviate fever and pain (For dengue patients, avoid taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to avoid bleeding complications)
  • Drinking fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Getting adequate rest

Treatment for mild cases is focused on managing symptoms, which involves:

  • Getting enough rest
  • Staying hydrated by drinking water
  • Taking pain-relievers like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen

A strong immune system is our first line of defense against getting COVID-19. This can be achieved with the help of taking vitamin supplements and getting enough sleep and exercise.

How can you avoid getting dengue?

  • Regularly clean out containers that might accumulate water and become breeding grounds of mosquitoes, including drums, buckets, or even flower vases.
  • Reduce risk of mosquito bites by putting on long-sleeved shirts and pants and applying mosquito repellents.
  • Opt to have citronella plants—a natural mosquito repellent—or products that contain citronella placed around your house.
  • Keep your doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
  • Maintain a strong immune system by eating a balanced diet or taking vitamin supplements, particularly ones rich in Vitamins A, C, and D.

Consult your doctor as soon as you develop any symptoms to ensure that you receive proper treatment.

READ: Dengue Prevention Tips at Home

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/is-it-dengue-or-covid.html
https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/healthcare-providers/dengue-or-covid.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/DOH-reminds-public-to-do-4S-vs-dengue-as-cases-start-to-rise
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/treatments-for-covid-19
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/diagnosed-with-covid-19-what-to-expect
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dengue/
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/the-use-of-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-(nsaids)-in-patients-with-covid-19

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