Dengue fever, spread by mosquito bites, is increasingly affecting children, especially during and after the monsoon season. While many cases are mild, some can worsen quickly into severe dengue, which can be life-threatening.

Children often show different signs of dengue compared to adults, says Dr Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram. “In young children, the symptoms may not be obvious. They might just appear irritable, refuse food, or show less interest in play. In older children, dengue typically begins with a sudden high-grade fever, headache, eye pain, and general body aches. While this may seem like a regular viral fever, it’s important for parents to stay alert.The real danger. Often begins when the fever starts to come down, usually around day four to six. Parents may think their child is recovering, but that’s when complications can set in,” he says.

Spotting severe dengue:

The most critical signs tend to appear after the fever starts subsiding. “This is the phase when children might enter what we call the ‘critical phase’ of dengue. Parents should look out for ongoing vomiting, severe stomach pain, signs of bleeding such as nosebleeds or blood in the stool, and unusual tiredness or restlessness,” Dr Tayal cautions.