To us, mosquito bites are just annoying itches, and some can even lead to serious illness. One such disease is Dengue fever, spread by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which has become one of the fastest-growing mosquito-borne diseases in India.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of dengue cases are seen each year globally. On World Mosquito Day, let’s understand what happens inside the body when we catch dengue: Why there is such a drastic drop in platelets, what warning signs we should be aware of, and the importance of prompt testing and treatment.
From Mosquito Bite to Platelet Drop
As soon as the dengue virus enters the body, it replicates and attacks the immune system. Fever, body ache, headaches, and other symptoms are common in dengue, but a sudden and rapid drop in platelet count is one of the more alarming effects of the dengue virus.
Platelets are the tiniest blood cells and are responsible for stopping the body from bleeding by forming clots. A normal range for a platelet count is 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood. In a dengue case, however, the platelet count can drastically reduce to levels as low as 20,000, which greatly increases the risk of bleeding internally and developing complications from that.
So what drives this change? Let’s figure it out.
Why does the platelet drop in a dengue diagnosis?
There are at least three possible reasons for a drop in platelets during a dengue infection:
-Bone marrow suppression: The dengue virus temporarily suppresses the production of platelets in the bone marrow.
–Increased destruction: While the immune system is fighting off the dengue virus, it can sometimes destroy the platelets faster than normal.
-Vascular leak: Dengue makes blood vessels “leaky” (ie, in the leg or significant bruising elsewhere), and platelets are consumed while repairing leaks, thus reducing numbers.
Do you suspect dengue? Don’t delay. A simple Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test can help determine if you have falling platelets, allowing for prompt medical care.
Book a CBC Test
The Warning Signs to Look For
Although there is a mild form of dengue that can get better on its own, there are some warning signs that you have a serious drop in platelets and you need medical attention. Look for the following:
– Unexplained bruising or bleeding from gums
– Unexplained nosebleeds without injury
– Vomiting that can’t be stopped or is unable to stay hydrated.
– Severe abdominal pain and tenderness
– Blood in vomit or stool
– Extreme fatigue, restlessness, or irritability
If you see any of those signs, seek medical care as soon as possible. Delays in treatment can result in life-threatening problems.
Consult a doctor immediately to get the right treatment and prevent complications. Talk To An Expert
Know the Right Test at the Right Time
A reliable and timely test is crucial to determining dengue infection. Here are some of the tests your doctor will advise you to take:
- NS1 – This test detects dengue virus proteins in the blood (the NS1 antigen) during the first 1 – 7 days of illness.
- IgM – This test identifies the presence of IgM antibodies, which will start appearing in the blood around day 4 – 5 of the illness.
- IgG – This test detects IgG antibodies, either from a past or recent dengue infection. IgG can stay high in the blood for months to years.
- RT-PCR – The most accurate test; detects the dengue virus genetic material.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) – Monitors platelets and white blood cells to track the severity of the disease.
If you already have a dengue diagnosis, be mindful of your health by performing a simple blood test to monitor platelets, blood counts, liver function, etc., to help detect complications early. Book Dengue Monitoring Panel
Homecare Tips That Might Help Recovery
For most patients, success in managing dengue is to provide supportive care, as there is no specific anti-viral treatment available. Here are some home care tips that may help aid in your recovery:
- Stay hydrated: Drink as many fluids as you can. This includes ORS, coconut water, fresh juices, fresh soups, etc., to avoid dehydration.
- Rest: Let your body have the energy it needs to fight the infection.
- Eat well: Eat some nutritious foods. Soft, easy-to-digest foods like khichri, oatmeal/porridge, fruits, and soups.
- Do not take certain pain killers: Such as ibuprofen or aspirin, as these drugs can increase the risk of bleeding. If needed, take paracetamol only under medical supervision.
- Add Vitamin C–rich foods: Consume fruits like kiwi, oranges, amla, and guava to strengthen immunity and support platelet recovery.
Remember: Home remedies can help support your recovery, but do not ignore serious symptoms of severe dengue: hospital admission will be required.
Why Dengue is More Dangerous Than Just an Itchy Bite
Many people dismiss dengue as “just a fever.” The reality is that dengue can turn serious quickly, often within days. A rapid drop in platelets, coupled with the risks for bleeding internally and organ damage, is what makes it one of the most dangerous diseases transmitted through mosquitoes.
Unlike malaria, where symptoms are more predictable, dengue unpredictably has different phases and can worsen even when the fever subsides. Therefore, being aware, testing quickly, and under medical supervision is vital.
Prevention is the best cure
With no specific treatment available, prevention is the best protection.
- Regularly apply mosquito repellent products, especially in the daytime when Aedes mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long-sleeve clothing, and eliminate stagnant water.
- Use window screens when possible, and mosquito nets, as required.
- Ensure that your child has a mosquito net while asleep, especially during the daytime.
- Prevent kids from playing in mosquito-friendly areas during dawn and dusk.
- Participate in community-organised initiatives like fogging, or anti-mosquito campaigns, etc.
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Final Takeaway
While a mosquito bite alone may seem trivial, one that transmits a dengue virus can trigger a cascade of biological events within you—compromising immunity, lowering platelet count, and causing potentially life-threatening complications.
By being aware of its signs and symptoms, getting appropriate diagnostic testing, and avoiding a mosquito bite, we can be one step ahead of dengue.
As we remember World Mosquito Day, we continue to fight the bite of the mosquito and remind ourselves that early action saves lives.
FAQs
- What are the early symptoms of dengue fever?
Early symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, pain behind my eyes, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, a skin rash, or extreme fatigue. - How is dengue fever diagnosed?
Doctors can diagnose dengue fever with blood tests for the dengue virus (NS1 antigen test) or antibodies (IgM or IgG). They take regular platelet counts as well. - Are there home treatments for dengue fever, or am I always required to be hospitalized?
Mild cases or mild symptoms of dengue can be treated at home with rest and hydration, as well as treatments for fever, with medical care. Hospitalization is needed if the platelets drop quickly, along with bleeding or dehydration. - What is the best food or fluid when recovering from dengue?
Most important is hydration. You can drink coconut water, ORS, soups, fresh juices, and water once you are hydrated, soft, and nutritious foods such as papaya, kiwi, pomegranate, spinach, & pumpkin. Eventually, you should be eating high-protein meals with meals full of nutrition as well. - At what platelet count should I be concerned about dengue?
The normal platelet range is 1.5-4.5 lakh/μL. If the platelets drop below 50,000/μL then your bleeding will start to increase; if it goes below 20,000/μL, then you should be admitted.
(The article is written by Deepa Sarkar, Medical Writer, and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor)
Sources:
1. Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme. National guidelines for clinical management of dengue fever 2023 [Internet]. New Delhi: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India; 2023 [cited 2025 Aug 18]. Available from: https://ncvbdc.mohfw.gov.in/Doc/National%20Guidelines%20for%20Clinical%20Management%20of%20Dengue%20Fever%202023.pdf
2. Simmons CP, Farrar JJ, Nguyen vV, Wills B. Dengue [Internet]. In: Semba RD, Bloem MW, editors. Encyclopedia of human nutrition. Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information (US); 2010 [cited 2025 Aug 18]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143156/
3. Jayasimhan D, Sahu D. Dengue: a reemerging viral infection and its management. J Family Med Prim Care [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Aug 18];12(2):335–41. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9988645/