Emergencies in Dengue Fever

Dengue is often seen as an acute infection with fever and thrombocytopenia where complications such as shock and hemorrhage need to be averted while the patient recovers with supportive care. However, dengue can also be a differential diagnosis in the emergency care setting. Acute encephalopathy, acute renal failure, hepatitis, liver failure, acute pancreatitis, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, compartment syndrome, intracranial bleeds, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are few of the emergencies that may be seen in the course of dengue fever. These complications need prompt recognition and management to ensure better outcomes.