Home › Instruction sheets › Dengue and viral fever: care at home

For adults with dengue or suspected dengue who have been seen by a doctor and are well enough to be looked after at home.

Drawing: A thermometer, water and coconut water, paracetamol only, and protection from mosquitoes with a net. — A thermometer, water and coconut water, paracetamol only, and protection from mosquitoes with a net.

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Patient's name Date Fever started on Next blood count on Next review on

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Do

Paracetamol only for fever and body pain: one tablet of 500 or 650 mg, at least 6 hours apart, not more than 4 times in 24 hours. If you have liver disease, drink alcohol heavily or weigh under 50 kg, ask the doctor for your dose.
Drink a glass of fluid every hour while awake: ORS, coconut water, soup, fruit juice, milk, water. You are drinking enough if you pass pale urine every 4 to 6 hours.
Rest in bed. Eat normal, light food.
Sponge the forehead, armpits and limbs with lukewarm water if the fever is high.
Come for every blood count the doctor has advised, even if you feel better.

Do not

No ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin or combination painkillers for the fever. They can cause bleeding. If aspirin or a blood thinner is prescribed for your heart, do not stop it yourself: ask the doctor the same day.
No injections into the muscle for fever or pain.
No steroids or antibiotics unless a doctor prescribes them.
Do not rely on papaya leaf or any platelet remedy. None is proven to prevent severe dengue. Fluids and blood counts matter more.
Do not stop coming for review when the fever goes.

The dangerous time is when the fever comes down, usually between day 3 and day 7. Watch most closely for the next 24 to 48 hours after the temperature falls. A normal temperature does not mean the illness is over.

Go to a hospital immediately if there is

Pain or tenderness in the stomach area
Vomiting that does not stop
Bleeding from the gums or nose, blood in vomit, urine or stool, black stools, or very heavy periods
Red spots on the skin
Drowsiness, restlessness or confusion
Cold, pale, sweaty hands and feet
Fainting or giddiness on standing
Difficulty breathing
No urine for 6 hours

Call 108 or go to the nearest hospital with an emergency department.

Tests

In the first 5 days of fever, the NS1 antigen test finds dengue. From day 5, the IgM antibody test is used.
The blood count (platelets and haematocrit) is repeated as often as the doctor advises, often every day.
A falling platelet count alone is not a reason to panic. Platelets are given only for bleeding or for very low counts.

You need closer review, and often admission, if you

Are pregnant, or are over 65
Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart, kidney, liver or lung disease
Take a blood thinner, aspirin or long-term steroids
Are very overweight
Have heart or kidney disease and were told to limit fluids: ask how much to drink

Protect the family

The dengue mosquito bites in the daytime. Rest under a net during the first week, and use repellent, long sleeves and window screens.
Empty and dry coolers, buckets, flower pots and anything that holds water, once a week.

Questions about this sheet? Call Caspian Healthcare reception on +91 89193 41154. A doctor is on duty at all hours for problems that are not critical. Caspian has no emergency department: in an emergency call 108.

Where this comes from

Prepared by Caspian Healthcare from the sources above. Last reviewed October 2026. General information: your own doctor's written instructions come first.