A patient presents with high fever (40°C), retroorbital pain, severe headache, myalgia, and a petechial rash on day 5 of illness. Platelet count is 42,000/mm³. NS1 antigen is positive. According to WHO dengue classification (2009), this case should be classified as:
- A Dengue without warning signs
- B Severe dengue
- C Dengue with warning signs ✓
- D Dengue haemorrhagic fever Grade II
Correct answer: C. Dengue with warning signs
Explanation
Under the 2009 WHO dengue classification, dengue with warning signs includes any of: abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleed, lethargy, liver enlargement >2 cm, or rapid increase in haematocrit with platelet drop. Thrombocytopenia (42,000) and petechial rash constitute mucosal/skin bleeding—a warning sign. Severe dengue requires severe plasma leakage with shock, severe bleeding, or severe organ impairment. The older DHF Grade classification is WHO 1997 and has been replaced by the 2009 classification.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.