Do you know if you’re at risk of dengue?
About half the world’s population is now vulnerable to dengue infection. [1] However, the risk of getting ill from dengue, or of an existing dengue infection becoming more severe, depends on many factors. [1], [2], [3] Let’s consider some of these dengue risk factors below.
Risk factors for dengue
1. Pre-existing conditions
If you already have certain ongoing or pre-existing conditions at the time you become infected with dengue, there is a higher chance of it progressing to a more severe infection. [2] These conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. [2]
2. Age
Old age can increase the risk of severe dengue outcomes. [4] On the other hand, young children can be at greater risk of developing severe dengue and complications than healthy adults. [5] Learn more about how age can be a risk factor and the impacts of dengue in children.
3. Weight
Obesity has been linked to longer hospital stays for patients with dengue. [6] Scientists believe that obesity can weaken the immune system’s response to infections such as dengue. [6]
4. Reinfection
There are four different strains of the dengue virus. This means you can be infected more than once (but with a different strain). [7] In fact, a second infection with a different strain is more likely to cause severe dengue symptoms than the first infection. [7]
C-ANPROM/IN/QDE/0036, Date of Preparation: December 2025
References
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1. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue Accessed December2023.
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2. Sangkaew S, et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021;21(7):1014-1026.
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3. Wilder-Smith A. 2012;32 Suppl 1(s1):28-32.
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4. Huang N, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2023;29(8):1701-1702.
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5. UNICEF. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/rosa/stories/dengue-how-keep-children-safe Accessed November 2023
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6. Tan VPK, et al. PLoS One. 2018;13(7):e0200698.
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7. Soo KM, et al. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0154760.