COVID-19 or Dengue: How to differentiate between symptoms?

Given that COVID-19 has taken a milder turn, causing less severe infections and more manageable symptoms, many have started to confuse the illness with other diseases including the flu and common cold. In addition, the recent rise in the dengue cases has alarmed officials and led to added confusion.

As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people with dengue and COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home; symptoms usually last a few days, and people tend to feel better after a week. However, both these diseases can cause severe illnesses and can lead to death, which is why confirming your diagnosis is of utmost importance, so necessary measures can be taken accordingly.

That said, let us first take a look at the similarities shared between COVID and dengue and where the confusion usually lies.

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While dengue is an illness caused by any of 4 dengue viruses i.e. through the bite of an infected Aedes species, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. The latter is mainly transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets that are spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, explains the CDC.

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COVID-19 and dengue are both viral illnesses, which is why you are likely to encounter similar symptoms. Some of the common symptoms reported in both the infections include body pain, myalgia, chills, fever, and nausea.

Having said that, getting a diagnostic test is the best possible way to confirm your illness.

Although fever is one of the most common symptoms recorded with both COVID and dengue, it also holds the key to differentiating between the two infections.

Usually, the fever associated with COVID-19 is said to be low or moderate grade, touching a 102 degrees Fahrenheit max., and can be managed with the use of medicines like paracetamols.

On the contrary, fever recorded during dengue infection can rise considerably high, going as high as 103-105 degrees Fahrenheit. This could be accompanied by other severe symptoms that could require intensive treatment.

Furthermore, as compared to COVID fever, which can come and go, a fever associated with dengue can be persistent. That said, the kind of fever you have can help predict whether you have COVID-19 or dengue.

Although COVID and dengue share many symptoms, there can be a difference in the incubation period. According to the CDC, while the incubation period, which is the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease, for dengue ranges between 3-10 days, typically 5-7 days, for COVID-19, it is thought to extend to 14 days, with a median of 4-5 days from exposure to symptoms onset.

Another distinguishing factor is the way symptoms appear for both the infections. While a COVID-infection can usually present with one or more symptoms at a time, which can all be different for people, in terms of dengue, the most common signs of infection onset include a headache or weakness.

In the case of dengue, severe illness may manifest itself in the form of plasma leakage leading to shock, fluid accumulation, severe bleeding with thrombocytopenia, heart problems and severe organ impairment, according to the CDC.

With COVID-19, signs and symptoms for severe illness can include:

- Dyspnea

- Hypoxia

- Respiratory failure

- Shock

- Multiorgan system dysfunction

As far as COVID-19 is concerned, one must make use of face masks to stop the transmission of the virus from one person to another through respiratory droplets. Furthermore, social distancing, following proper hand hygiene and getting your vaccines can help tremendously.

Dengue can be prevented by using mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and by maintaining hygiene. Avoid stagnant water as it can act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes that cause malaria and dengue.