Tourist Hospitalized with Dengue Fever After Mistaking Symptoms for Heat Stroke
A tourist’s holiday turned into a health scare when she was diagnosed with dengue fever after mistaking her symptoms for heat stroke. Serenity Tanner, 20, spent 12 days in hospital after contracting the deadly tropical virus, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
Initially attributing her symptoms to heat stroke, Serenity described feeling weak and fatigued even weeks after her diagnosis. She recalled waking up vomiting after a day of surfing with her boyfriend and feeling increasingly unwell, prompting a visit to a local medical centre.
Despite difficulty accessing immediate medical help and the need to be transferred to a mainland hospital, Serenity eventually received treatment at Makati Medical Centre in Manila, Philippines. Following her discharge on August 1, 2024, she flew back to the UK but continued to experience lingering effects of the virus, including fatigue and brain fog.
The rise of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever in countries such as Spain and Greece due to climate change has led to increased government warnings for both residents and tourists about the risks involved. Serenity’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of recognising and seeking prompt medical attention for symptoms of such diseases, especially when travelling to regions prone to mosquito-borne illnesses.