High Fever in Children? Here’s First Aid for Dengue Parents Need to Know

Dengue fever is one of the illnesses that commonly affects children. When a child suddenly develops a high fever, it’s natural for parents to feel worried and unsure of what to do. In fact, knowing the right first aid steps for dengue in children is very important.

When facing a situation where a child may have dengue, understanding what actions to take can help parents stay calm. The goal is to keep the child’s condition stable, prevent complications, and support medical treatment for better outcomes. So, what should parents pay attention to?

Recognizing Early Symptoms of Dengue in Children

The first step is being alert to early symptoms. However, early signs of dengue often resemble common flu, which is why many parents only realize it when the condition worsens.

Some early symptoms to watch out for include:

• Sudden high fever, reaching 39–40°C, usually lasting 2–7 days
• The child appears weak, lethargic, and less active than usual
• Headache and pain behind the eyes; younger children may become unusually fussy or irritable
• Muscle and joint pain, causing discomfort or reluctance to move
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, even refusing to eat

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, early dengue symptoms are often difficult to distinguish from other viral infections. That’s why parents should be extra cautious if a high fever doesn’t subside after 2–3 days, especially if accompanied by vomiting or abdominal pain.

What Should Be Done Immediately?

When a child starts showing symptoms that may indicate dengue, here are simple steps parents can take at home while waiting for medical evaluation:

1. Monitor Body Temperature Regularly

Track your child’s temperature every 4–6 hours. If the fever remains high or is difficult to reduce, it can be a warning sign. The World Health Organization also recommends monitoring temperature and overall condition from the early phase.

2. Maintain Adequate Fluid Intake

Dengue carries a high risk of dehydration, especially in children. Make sure your child drinks fluids regularly in small amounts. Suitable options include water, oral rehydration solutions, and clear soups or broths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that adequate fluid intake helps maintain blood volume and reduce the risk of shock caused by plasma leakage.

3. Use Safe Fever-Reducing Medication

If the fever is high and causing discomfort, parents can give paracetamol according to the child’s age and weight. Paracetamol is generally considered safe for suspected dengue cases.

4. Ensure Complete Rest

Avoid letting your child play or stay active. The body is working hard to fight the virus, so sufficient rest is essential for recovery.

5. Seek Medical Attention

First aid is not a substitute for professional care. If the fever lasts more than two days or other symptoms appear, take your child to a doctor for a proper diagnosis and blood tests.

What Should Be Avoided?

Besides knowing what to do, parents should also understand what not to do:

1. Avoid Giving Random Medications

Do not give medications other than paracetamol without a doctor’s advice. Drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding in dengue patients.

2. Don’t Force Your Child to Eat

If your child feels nauseous or is vomiting, don’t force food. Focus on maintaining fluid intake. Food can be reintroduced gradually as the condition improves.

3. Stay Alert Even When Fever Drops

Don’t be careless when the fever starts to go down. In dengue, the critical phase often occurs when the fever subsides (usually days 3–5). During this time, the risk of plasma leakage and bleeding increases.

4. Avoid Unproven Alternative Treatments

Be cautious with alternative treatments that lack medical evidence, as they may delay proper care.

What Are the Warning Signs?

Parents should recognize danger signs that indicate a more serious condition requiring immediate medical attention:

• Severe and persistent abdominal pain
• Repeated vomiting, especially with blood
• Bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or increasing red spots on the skin)
• Extreme weakness, restlessness, or unusual drowsiness
• Cold hands and feet even after the fever drops
• Reduced urination

According to the World Health Organization, these symptoms may indicate plasma leakage and a risk of dengue shock, which requires urgent medical care.

When Should You Go to the Emergency Room?

Take your child to the ER immediately if:

• Fever doesn’t go down after 2–3 days
• Warning signs appear
• The child refuses or is unable to drink fluids
• Any bleeding occurs
• The child has underlying health conditions

The Indonesian Ministry of Health emphasizes that early treatment and close monitoring can reduce complications and speed up recovery.

Supporting Recovery After Dengue

First aid focuses on stabilizing the child’s condition, preventing dehydration, and recognizing warning signs early. However, the recovery phase is just as important.

During this time, the body needs proper nutrition and antioxidants to support cell repair and immune function. In addition to a balanced diet, clinically tested propolis-based supplements such as HDI Propoelix™ may be considered to help support recovery.

HDI Propoelix™: Natural Support During and After Recovery

HDI Propoelix™ is a propolis extract with an exclusive formulation that has been clinically tested and is rich in antioxidants to support overall health and immune function. Its benefits include:

• Supporting immune defense
• Helping reduce inflammation
• Providing antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals

It has also been studied as a supportive therapy for dengue patients during hospital treatment. Results indicate its potential to help increase platelet levels and shorten hospital stays.

Clinical Studies on HDI Propoelix™:

• Persahabatan General Hospital, Jakarta (106 patients, Dec 2009 – Mar 2010)

Shown to increase platelet levels and reduce hospitalization duration

• Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, Jakarta (63 patients, May 2012 – Jul 2013)

Shown to increase platelet levels, reduce TNF-α (an inflammatory marker), and shorten hospital stays

For children, usage should be consulted with healthcare professionals or HDI doctors (HDI Expert Panel) to ensure the dosage and method are appropriate for each child’s condition.

BeeFams, during this month’s World Health Fest promotion, every purchase of HDI products worth a minimum of IDR 800,000 at hdi.com or HDI Centers gives you the opportunity to redeem HDI Propoelix™ for only IDR 299,000.

Don’t miss out, get yours today! •

Sources:

• https://www.alodokter.com/5-pertolongan-pertama-demam-berdarah-pada-anak-yang-perlu-diketahui
• https://www.nutriclub.co.id/artikel/kesehatan/1-tahun/demam-berdarah-pada-anak 
• https://www.healthline.com/health/dengue-fever