Danger Signs in Thai Hemorrhagic Fever (Dengue).

An increased incidence of certain symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings in patients with the severe forms of dengue hemorrhagic fever (shock or fatal termination) as compared with the relatively low incidence of these manifestations in the more mild forms of the disease was found on analysis of 70 virologically proved nonfatal cases and 38 fatal cases. The symptoms include hematemesis, melena, dyspnea, cyanosis, restlessness, and convulsions; the laboratory and roentgen findings include leukocytosis, marked thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, pleural effusion, albuminuria, and/or urinary casts. All of these may occur before the onset of shock and, therefore, are considered as danger signs in the disease.