Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever Vaccine | Dengue Prevention & Travel Health | Allied Pharmacies

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. According to the NHS, dengue is transmitted by infected mosquitoes that bite during the daytime, making it difficult to avoid through bed nets alone.

While most cases of dengue are mild and resolve on their own, the NHS warns that severe dengue can be life-threatening and requires urgent hospital treatment. The dengue vaccine (Qdenga) is available privately for travellers who want to reduce their risk of infection.

At Allied Pharmacies, our trained pharmacists can assess your travel plans, advise on dengue prevention and provide the dengue vaccine where appropriate — no GP referral needed.

Use the postcode search below to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy offering the dengue vaccine.

What Is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, unlike the mosquitoes that spread malaria which tend to bite at night.

The NHS states that dengue is not found in the UK but is a risk in many popular travel destinations including parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands and even parts of southern Europe including Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Croatia.

Dengue cannot be spread from person to person.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

The NHS advises that dengue symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Common symptoms include:

• A sudden high temperature (fever)
• Severe headache, often behind the eyes
• Muscle and joint pain (sometimes called "breakbone fever")
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swollen glands
• A blotchy rash across the body

Most people recover within 1 to 2 weeks with rest and fluids. The NHS recommends taking paracetamol for fever and pain relief but advises against taking ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can increase the risk of bleeding.

Severe Dengue: Warning Signs

In rare cases, dengue can develop into severe dengue (dengue haemorrhagic fever), which is a medical emergency. The NHS advises seeking immediate medical help if you experience:

• Severe stomach pain or persistent vomiting
• Bleeding from the gums or nose
• Blood in vomit or stools
• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Extreme tiredness, restlessness or irritability

Severe dengue requires urgent hospital treatment. If you develop these symptoms during or after travel, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

The Dengue Vaccine (Qdenga)

The dengue vaccine Qdenga is a live attenuated vaccine available privately in the UK for travellers visiting dengue-risk areas. Key facts about the vaccine:

• It is given as 2 doses, administered 3 months apart
• The vaccine is given as an injection under the skin
• It may be recommended for people who have had a previous dengue infection, as well as travellers at higher risk
• The vaccine is not available on the NHS and requires private payment
• It is suitable for adults and children from the age of 4

Your pharmacist will assess whether the dengue vaccine is appropriate for you based on your travel plans, destination and medical history.

Who Is Most at Risk of Dengue?

The NHS highlights the following groups as being at higher risk of severe dengue:

• Very young children and babies
• Older adults aged 65 and over
• Pregnant women
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure
• Anyone who has had dengue before — a second infection can increase the risk of severe dengue

How Is Dengue Fever Treated?

There is no specific antiviral treatment for dengue fever. According to the NHS, treatment focuses on managing symptoms while the infection runs its course:

• Rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
• Take paracetamol to reduce fever and relieve pain
• Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin, as these can increase the risk of bleeding complications
• Monitor your symptoms closely, especially between days 3 and 7 when severe dengue is most likely to develop

Most people recover fully from dengue within 1 to 2 weeks. If you develop any warning signs of severe dengue (see above), seek emergency medical help immediately.

If you develop symptoms of dengue after returning to the UK, contact your GP or call NHS 111 and tell them about your recent travel history.

Popular Travel Destinations with Dengue Risk

Dengue fever is a risk in many popular holiday and travel destinations. You should consider a dengue prevention consultation if you are visiting:

• Southeast Asia — Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia
• South Asia — India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal
• Central and South America — Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru
• The Caribbean — Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Barbados
• Africa — Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Senegal
• Pacific Islands — Fiji, Samoa, Tonga
• Southern Europe — parts of Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Croatia have seen recent outbreaks

The risk of dengue varies by season and region. Your pharmacist can provide up-to-date advice on dengue risk at your specific destination during your travel health consultation.

Can You Get Dengue More Than Once?

Yes. There are four different strains (serotypes) of the dengue virus. Recovering from one strain provides lifelong immunity to that specific strain, but not to the other three. The NHS warns that a second dengue infection with a different strain can actually increase the risk of developing severe dengue.

This is one of the reasons why the dengue vaccine and bite prevention measures are so important for frequent travellers. If you have had dengue before, you should discuss this with your pharmacist during your travel health consultation, as your vaccination and prevention strategy may need to be tailored accordingly.

Keeping a record of any previous dengue infections is helpful for your healthcare provider when planning future travel health protection.

How to Prevent Dengue While Travelling

In addition to vaccination, the NHS recommends the following bite prevention measures:

• Wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers, particularly during the early morning and late afternoon when dengue mosquitoes are most active
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin
• Use screened windows, air conditioning and mosquito nets treated with insecticide
• Avoid areas of standing water where mosquitoes breed

How the Dengue Vaccine Service Works

Getting the dengue vaccine at Allied Pharmacies is straightforward.

• Book your consultation — contact your nearest Allied Pharmacy at least 4 months before travel to allow time for both doses
• Travel health assessment — your pharmacist will review your destination, itinerary and medical history
• First dose — the vaccine is given as a subcutaneous injection
• Second dose — you will return 3 months later for your second dose

Why Choose Allied Pharmacies?

• No GP referral required
• Trained pharmacists experienced in travel health
• Convenient high street locations near you
• Comprehensive travel health consultations

Related Travel Health Services

• Antimalarials — prescription tablets for malaria-risk countries
• Cholera Vaccine — oral vaccine for areas with poor sanitation
• Hepatitis A Vaccine — recommended for many travel destinations
• Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine — for travel to Asia and the Pacific
• Altitude Sickness Prevention — advice and medication for high-altitude travel

Visit our full list of pharmacy services.

Find a Dengue Vaccine Near You

Dengue vaccination and travel health consultations are available at participating Allied Pharmacies across the UK. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest pharmacy and book today.

For more information about dengue fever, visit the NHS dengue page.