JAMAICA is in the middle of a dengue outbreak and it is important that we understand the symptoms, when they worsen, and when to seek medical care.

General, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon Dr Alfred Dawes said because we are in an outbreak, it is important that people understand the symptoms of severe dengue and what to do if they are noticed.

“If you’re catching dengue for the second, or third, or fourth time, this is when you’re at risk of getting severe dengue,” Dr Dawes told the Jamaica Observer.

He said cases will have feature pain behind the eyes, headache, a rash, joint pain, muscle pain, bone pain. He, however, said those symptoms usually go away after awhile.

But, with severe dengue, he told Your Health Your Wealth that people may experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and signs of bleeding.

“That is where it starts to get serious as that’s where you’re going to be at risk for your multi-organ failure. Haemorrhagic fever is also what usually kills people,” he said.

He added: “There’s also bruising. If you’re brushing your teeth and have bleeding gums, if you’re vomiting and bringing up blood or having a lot of abdominal cramping, passing blood in the stool, go get checked out because you don’t want to sit at home and allow it to progress beyond that stage.”