Does Dengue Cause Broken Bones?
Dengue does not cause broken bones, but the severe pain that often accompanies it may be the reason why it is called “breakbone fever.” Its symptoms begin very abruptly, several days after infection. In addition to bone, joint, and muscle pain, there may be high fever, a rash, headache, and pain behind the eyes. The symptoms usually subside after five to seven days, return a few days later, and then go away entirely. After recovery from dengue, people may feel weak and psychologically * depressed. These feelings may last for days or weeks, but dengue is rarely fatal. In a small percentage of cases, people get a severe form of the disease, called dengue hemorrhagic * fever, which causes internal bleeding. This sometimes turns into an even more dangerous condition called dengue shock syndrome. According to the World Health Organization, these severe forms of dengue kill approximately 24,000 children in tropical countries each year, although most people who get these diseases recover.
