I won’t forget dengue in a hurry
This story is not representative of all patients who contract dengue and the majority of cases are asymptomatic.
Ken contracted dengue fever on a 10-day trip to the Maldives with his wife which left him bedbound for 10 days.
After two years without a holiday Ken, 71, from Suffolk, decided to splash out on a dream trip to the Maldives for some sun, sand and snorkelling.
Ken and his wife, Marie, made the most of the relaxing setting but right at the end of the trip Ken noticed three bites on his leg, just above the knee.
“They were quite close together and fairly big – leaving quite a noticeable mark on my skin”, he recalls.
After flying home the next day Ken was feeling far from refreshed. By the end of his first day back at work he had rapidly deteriorated.
I’d heard about dengue and knew how serious it could be, but never fully appreciated what it would be like to get it or thought I’d be someone who would ever catch it.
Marie immediately took Ken to the University College London Hospital where a tropical medicine specialist diagnosed him with dengue fever.
“The doctor said, ‘Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do for you’. I couldn’t believe it – I was in shock,” he says.
Being a frequent traveller Ken was aware of dengue but admits he never fully appreciated what it would be like to get it.
“I’d heard about it and knew how serious it could be, but never fully appreciated what it would be like to get it or thought I’d be someone who would ever catch it.”
For the next 10 days, Ken was bedridden; he was unable to eat, and he was in a lot of pain. Even after recovering Ken says the memory of how it felt lingered.
Since his experience, Ken won’t step on a plane without researching where he is going first and always packs a full bottle of mosquito repellent.
If you’re planning a dream getaway, always check your destination for dengue before you take-off and find out if you need to take precautions.
Wish you were here..?
Read these real-life stories from travellers who contracted dengue while on holiday.
C-ANPROM/GB/DENV/0088
May 2023
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