A patient presents with fever for 5 days, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, and a rash. Tourniquet test is positive with 25 petechiae per square inch. Platelet count is 60,000/μL. NS1 antigen is positive on day 3. Which warning sign of severe dengue is ABSENT in this patient?
- A Abdominal pain or tenderness
- B Positive tourniquet test ✓
- C Persistent vomiting
- D Rapid breathing or respiratory distress
Correct answer: B. Positive tourniquet test
Explanation
Tourniquet test positivity is a diagnostic sign for dengue but is NOT a WHO warning sign for severe dengue. The six WHO warning signs for severe dengue are: abdominal pain/tenderness, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, mucosal bleeding, lethargy/restlessness, and liver enlargement >2 cm. Rapid increase in hematocrit with rapid fall in platelets is also a warning sign.
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.