A Dutch woman is sharing her harrowing experience with dengue fever, contracted during a solo trip to Thailand in 2018, as concerns grow about the increasing prevalence of the mosquito-borne illness. Lieke, who asked that her last name not be used, described a rapid descent into severe illness after initially dismissing her symptoms as a mild flu.
Lieke’s ordeal began shortly before her flight home from Koh Lanta. “The day before I flew back to the Netherlands, I wasn’t feeling well,” she recounted. “On the plane itself, I became really sick. I had severe fever attacks and was freezing cold. I was shivering and shaking while other passengers were comfortable in t-shirts. I thought it was just a flu and was relieved to finally be home in bed.”
However, her condition quickly deteriorated. Dizziness and severe back pain prompted her to seek medical attention, recalling a similar experience shared by a former classmate who had contracted dengue in Mexico. “I remembered my study friend, who had high fever and joint pain. I was worried and called a friend who works as a nurse. She advised me to go to the hospital, which gave me the confirmation I needed.”
At the hospital, Lieke was immediately assessed and underwent numerous tests. Initial relief that it wasn’t malaria quickly turned to concern when doctors diagnosed her with dengue fever. “I was shocked, because I knew there was no medication for it,” she said. She was admitted for observation, as the progression of the illness was uncertain. “I Googled it – you shouldn’t do that – and read that it could be fatal. Every year, 20 to 40 thousand people die from dengue.”
Dengue fever, also known as knokkelkoorts, is caused by the dengue virus transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, according to the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The RIVM notes that the disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, and symptoms can range from mild to severe, including high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and skin rash. The Aedes mosquito is identifiable by its black and white markings, including a white stripe on its back.
Lieke’s illness progressed, causing extreme nausea and disruption of her blood values. “Dengue attacks your blood. The values of your white blood cells and platelets are disrupted, so you have no resistance and your blood doesn’t clot. I absolutely couldn’t start my period and had to continue taking my birth control pill. Low blood values would mean I needed a blood transfusion.” She described a particularly frightening moment when doctors expressed concern about her enlarged liver.
After several days, Lieke’s blood values began to improve, and she was discharged. However, she felt she was sent home too soon, still feeling weak and without clear instructions for continued care. “I was still very sick, so it’s bizarre that I was sent home already. I could barely stand on my legs and didn’t receive any instructions.” She had to travel to a hospital twice a week for blood tests, a process she later learned could have been handled by her general practitioner.
Lieke’s recovery took over a month, marked by persistent fatigue and nausea. She began researching alternative remedies and discovered that papaya leaf extract was believed to increase platelet counts, a remedy not suggested by the hospital staff. “No one at the hospital told me this, while This proves said to be the number 1 remedy for dengue patients. I started taking capsules and slowly recovered.”
Lieke, who now has a vaccination against dengue, emphasizes the importance of taking the illness seriously and advocating for proper care. “I felt very alone during my illness and recovery. I would like to have had more information, which is why I am now sharing my story. Don’t be afraid to demand care.” She also noted that while she was initially hesitant to return to tropical regions, she ultimately decided not to let fear dictate her travel plans, as she values the enriching experience of exploring the world.
The availability of the Qdenga vaccine, a live attenuated vaccine offering protection against all four dengue serotypes, is increasing, with the GGD Hart voor Brabant offering it through their travel clinic. However, the vaccine’s long-term protection is still being studied, with initial protection estimated at around 80% against symptomatic infection for the first year, decreasing to 61% after 4.5 years, though protection against hospitalization remains high at 84%.
