If you think you could have dengue, go straight to your nearest healthcare professional (either a GP or hospital). If you go to a local doctor who is familiar with dengue, they will probably be able to diagnose the condition just by looking at you and asking about your symptoms.
Your medical and travel history will be taken and you will be asked about your exposure to mosquitoes.
You will also be given a blood test to see if the dengue virus is present in your bloodstream. If specific antibodies (proteins produced by your immune system to help fight infection) to the dengue virus are found in your blood, a diagnosis of dengue will be made.
Prompt medical advice from a healthcare professional familiar with the progression and complications of dengue haemorrhagic fever frequently saves lives.
Ruling out other conditions
It is very important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. The symptoms of dengue can be confused with other conditions such as malaria, which will need to be ruled out before you can be treated.
