If you have symptoms consistent with dengue fever, see your doctor as soon as possible to determine the diagnosis.  Blood tests are available that can help your doctor to determine if you have been exposed to dengue fever. Your doctor will do blood work that helps to identify the presence of antibodies to dengue fever. It does take several weeks to get the full results of the blood tests. Changes in your platelet count can be checked to help verify the diagnosis. People that are infected with dengue fever have lower than normal platelet counts.  An additional test called the tourniquet test can help with the diagnosis by providing your doctor with information about the condition of your capillaries. This test is not conclusive, but can be used to help with the diagnosis.  Research is underway to develop new tests that confirm the diagnosis of dengue fever, including some that are point-of-care tests. Point-of-care tests can be performed at the doctor’s office or in a hospital setting and provide quick confirmation of the infection.  Your signs and symptoms are often enough for your doctor to determine that you have been infected with dengue fever, start supportive treatment, and monitor your progress. While dengue fever is a global problem, there are areas where the infection is more prevalent, and locations where it has never been reported.  The areas of the world where you are more likely to be bitten by a mosquito that carries dengue fever include tropical locations such as Puerto Rico, Latin America, Mexico, the Honduras, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.  The World Health Organization also identifies other areas that have cases frequently reported including some areas of Africa, South America, Australia, Eastern Mediterranean countries, and island locations in the western Pacific.  Recent cases have been reported in Europe, France, Croatia, the Madeira islands of Portugal, China, Singapore, Costa Rica, and Japan. In 2013, several cases were reported in Florida.  A recent report posted in July of 2015 indicates that no cases of dengue fever have yet been reported in Florida during 2015.  Ten counties in California have reported cases of dengue fever over the past two years.  As of July, 2015, several new cases have been reported in Texas, along the Mexican border.  To date, the cases reported in the United States have been limited to Florida, California, and now Texas. Dengue fever has not been reported in any other areas of the United States. If you think you have developed dengue fever, think about the areas you have visited in the past two weeks, or the area where you live. If you reside in the United States, the symptoms you are experiencing are unlikely to be dengue fever, unless you live in California, Texas, or Florida, have visited those states in recent weeks, or have traveled to one of the areas of the globe known to have the mosquitoes that carry dengue fever. The mosquitoes that carry dengue fever have unique markings.  The Aedes aegypti mosquito is small and dark, and has white bands on its legs. It also has a silvery to white pattern on the body that resembles the shape of a musical instrument called a lyre.  It may be that you remember being bitten by such a mosquito. If you can recall what the mosquito that bit you looks like, then that information can be helpful in confirming your diagnosis.
قم بزيارة الطبيب. فكّر في المحدوديات الجغرافية لحمّى الضنك. فكّر في مناطق الخطر داخل الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية. فكّر في رحلاتك مؤخرًا. تعرّف على البعوضة.