I Got Dengue Fever in Bali: The Symptoms I Mistook for Yoga Pain

It’s one of those diseases spoken about in hushed tones, usually with a gut-wrenching horror story attached.

Dengue fever in Bali.

Your girlfriend’s best friend’s mum’s brother had it, and now they are dead.

It’s certainly not a disease I ever gave a second thought to as we travelled the world.

Until that fateful day.

In 2015, during one of my many trips to Bali, I developed a 39°C fever, intense body aches, complete loss of appetite and a spreading red rash while staying in our Ubud villa.

A local doctor believed my symptoms were consistent with a mild case of dengue fever. However, because my blood test was negative, my illness was never laboratory-confirmed. It is more accurate to describe it as a suspected case of dengue fever based on my symptoms and the doctor’s clinical assessment.

I have now visited Bali 34 times, and this is the only time anything like this has happened to me. I’ve never even had Bali Belly!

Dengue Fever in Bali: Quick Facts About My Experience

Medical disclaimer: This article shares my personal experience of a suspected case of dengue fever in Bali in 2015. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat an illness. Dengue symptoms can resemble many other infections, and severe dengue can become a medical emergency. Seek professional medical care if you develop a fever or become unwell during or after travelling.

How My Dengue Fever in Bali Started

It was a Tuesday.

We had spent a fun week in Seminyak, Bali, with my family and had finally moved into our villa in Ubud, where we were to spend the next six weeks resting and catching up on work.

Part of my new routine was to attend yoga classes with my good friend Sabina, who lived down the road.

I woke up a little achy and thought, “This is a good day for yoga.”

It was my first time.

The class was hard. A few times throughout the session, I thought I was going to vomit and my whole body ached. I also felt hot, but considering I was doing yoga in an open-air room in tropical Bali, perhaps it was nothing.

Maybe yoga was simply a lot more brutal than everyone had let on.

After the session, I collapsed into bed for a few hours before heading to Sabina’s for a swim and some lunch.

Still exhausted, I returned home and lay in bed again.

It wasn’t until later that afternoon that Josh checked my temperature.

I was a very toasty, and concerning, 39°C.

Eek!

This was no post-yoga glow.

What Is Dengue Fever?

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is found in many tropical and subtropical destinations, including Indonesia.

It does not normally spread directly from one person to another. However, a mosquito can bite an infected person, pick up the virus and later transmit it to someone else.

Symptoms often include a high fever, headaches, pain behind the eyes, body aches, joint or muscle pain, nausea and a rash. Some infections cause few or no symptoms, while a smaller number can progress to severe dengue.

There are four closely related types, or serotypes, of dengue virus. Infection with one type generally produces long-term immunity to that particular type, but it does not provide reliable lifelong protection against the others.

This means it is possible to get dengue more than once.

Most people who become unwell recover within one or two weeks, although weakness and fatigue may continue for longer.

Dengue Fever in Bali Symptoms

Common dengue fever symptoms can include:

• A sudden high fever
• Headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Muscle, bone or joint pain
• Extreme tiredness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen glands
• Rash
• Minor bleeding, such as bleeding from the nose or gums

Not everyone experiences the same combination of symptoms, and these symptoms can also be caused by other illnesses. A medical assessment and, where appropriate, blood tests are needed.

My own dengue Bali symptoms started with body aches, weakness, exhaustion and a high fever.

My First Dengue Fever Symptoms in Bali

My body ached for about four days.

Muscles, joints, you name it. I was achy everywhere.

At first, I thought it was from the yoga. As the person who had voluntarily signed up for her first tropical yoga class, I assumed this was simply the price I was paying.

But eventually, I realised it was something else.

I lost my appetite, which never happens to me.

When I normally get sick, I always eat. But not this time. During those first five days, I ate perhaps two pieces of toast.

Two.

Pieces.

Of toast.

That alone should have told everyone something was seriously wrong.

My fever lasted five long days. From Tuesday to Saturday, I had a very high temperature.

I had never been sick that long before, and it was torture. Sometimes the fever would drop and the sweating would begin. Then the fever would suddenly reappear.

At that stage, I wasn’t sure what I had.

My Dengue Fever Symptoms and Recovery Timeline

This is how my suspected dengue fever recovery timeline unfolded.

Day One: Body Aches, Exhaustion and a 39°C Fever

I woke up feeling achy but still went to yoga.

During the class, I felt nauseous, hot and unusually weak. I spent much of the day sleeping, and later that afternoon Josh discovered my temperature was 39°C.

Day Two: Fever and Severe Body Pain

The fever continued.

My muscles and joints ached, and I felt completely drained. At this point, I still wondered whether yoga had somehow broken every part of my body at once.

Day Three: No Appetite and No Energy

I remained feverish and could barely eat.

Over the first five days, I managed approximately two pieces of toast. For me, a total disappearance of appetite was extremely unusual.

Day Four: Fever, Sweating and Weakness

The fever would sometimes ease, bringing on heavy sweating, and then return.

I spent most of the day in bed and still did not know what was causing it.

Day Five: The Dengue Rash Appeared

On the fifth day, I finally called a doctor.

It wasn’t only the concerning fever. My skin had also broken out in a large, red, splotchy rash.

Something weird was going on.

The same day my fever finished, my appetite suddenly returned. I was ravenous, although after eating almost nothing for several days, I could only manage small amounts.

A great start to my Bali body detox!

Day Six: Swollen Hands and Feet

On the sixth day, my hands and feet became swollen and even redder, if that was possible.

It looked almost like severe sunburn.

Or perhaps I was transforming into a tomato.

I could not put pressure on my hands or walk properly on my feet. It was extremely uncomfortable and painful.

The hot showers I had been enjoying several times a day, which had previously helped my aching joints, suddenly caused acute pain.

The swelling and skin sensitivity lasted for approximately two days.

Day Seven: The Itching Began to Improve

By day seven, my hands were no longer as itchy, although they remained slightly swollen.

My feet were still extremely sensitive, but I noticed a considerable improvement.

Day Eight: Finally Feeling Human Again

Around eight days after my symptoms began, I started feeling much better.

I was still recovering, but I finally felt as though I was returning to the land of the living.

What Did My Dengue Rash in Bali Look and Feel Like?

My rash appeared on the fifth day of the illness.

It was large, red, splotchy and spread across my skin. By the next day, my hands and feet were swollen, red and painful.

My skin looked sunburnt and felt extremely sensitive. Pressure on my hands and feet was uncomfortable, and hot water suddenly hurt.

A rash can occur with dengue, but a rash alone cannot confirm the illness. Other infections, allergic reactions and medical conditions can produce similar-looking rashes.

Someone who develops a rash with a fever should seek medical advice rather than attempting to diagnose it through photographs online.

Calling a Doctor for Dengue Fever in Ubud

When the local doctor came to visit on the fifth day, I had already broken out in a rash.

Based on my fever, body aches, appetite loss and developing rash, he thought it was highly likely to be dengue fever.

I called the Toya Medika Clinic, and the doctor turned up on our doorstep with two bag-wielding assistants and a female nurse.

The nurse did the practical work, including taking my temperature and drawing my blood into a vial.

Yes, a vial.

Not a vile, although at that point the entire experience felt fairly vile.

The doctor arranged a blood test and told me I would receive the results in approximately four hours.

How Is Dengue Fever Tested in Bali?

Dengue can be difficult to diagnose from symptoms alone because early signs can resemble other viral illnesses.

Different blood tests may be used depending on how many days have passed since symptoms began. The timing of the test can affect whether evidence of dengue is detected, so a negative result does not always settle the question by itself.

Doctors may also consider:

• The symptoms
• When the symptoms started
• Recent travel
• Local dengue activity
• Blood cell counts
• Changes in platelet levels
• Whether warning signs are developing

My blood test was negative for dengue.

However, when the doctor returned the following day and saw that my rash had spread further, he believed my symptoms were clinically consistent with a mild case.

To be completely transparent, my dengue diagnosis was suspected rather than laboratory-confirmed.

I cannot say with certainty that dengue was the cause. I can only share what happened, what the doctor believed at the time and how my illness progressed.

Dengue Fever Bali Treatment

There is no specific antiviral medicine that cures dengue. Treatment generally focuses on rest, fluids, medical monitoring and managing symptoms safely. Severe dengue may require urgent hospital treatment and intravenous fluids.

My treatment at the time involved doctor visits, blood tests, rest, fluids and monitoring my symptoms.

The doctor also provided what he described as immune-boosting pills to take twice daily. I cannot confirm what those tablets contained or whether they contributed to my recovery, so I would not recommend copying my treatment without speaking to a qualified medical professional.

Can You Take Ibuprofen for Dengue Fever?

People with suspected dengue are generally advised to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines unless specifically instructed by a doctor.

These medicines may increase the risk of bleeding.

Paracetamol may be recommended for pain or fever, but it should still be taken according to medical advice, the packaging instructions and any relevant personal health considerations.

Do not take medication based solely on another traveller’s experience, including mine.

Staying Hydrated With Dengue Fever

Fluids are extremely important when someone is unwell with suspected dengue.

Fever, sweating, vomiting and a reduced ability to eat or drink can contribute to dehydration. A doctor may recommend water, oral rehydration fluids or other appropriate liquids depending on the person’s condition.

People who cannot keep fluids down, are urinating much less than usual, feel faint or appear to be deteriorating need prompt medical assessment.

Recognised Severe Dengue Warning Signs

Most people with dengue do not develop severe illness, but severe dengue can become a medical emergency.

Warning signs can appear as the fever begins to settle, particularly during the following 24 to 48 hours. Feeling cooler does not necessarily mean the dangerous period has passed.

Seek urgent medical care if you or someone travelling with you develops:

• Severe abdominal pain or tenderness
• Persistent or repeated vomiting
• Bleeding from the nose or gums
• Vomiting blood
• Blood in the stool
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• Extreme tiredness, weakness or drowsiness
• Restlessness, irritability or confusion
• Pale, cold or clammy skin
• Fainting or signs of shock
• An inability to drink or keep fluids down
• Very little urine
• A sudden deterioration, particularly after the fever drops

Severe dengue cannot be safely managed through a blog post, hotel room or group-chat diagnosis.

Go to a clinic or emergency department immediately.

What to Do If You Suspect Dengue in Bali

If you develop a high fever or dengue-like symptoms in Bali:

1. Contact a Doctor or Medical Clinic

Arrange a medical assessment promptly, especially if you have a high fever, severe pain, a rash, vomiting or significant weakness.

Tell the doctor:

• Where you are staying
• When the illness began
• Which parts of Bali or Indonesia you have visited
• What medication you have taken
• Whether you can drink and urinate normally
• Whether you have any bleeding, abdominal pain or vomiting

2. Do Not Rely on Symptoms Alone

Dengue can resemble influenza, COVID-19 and other mosquito-borne or tropical illnesses.

A doctor may recommend blood tests and repeat monitoring.

3. Keep Drinking Fluids

Take regular small sips if drinking large amounts is difficult.

Follow the doctor’s advice about water, oral rehydration solutions and other fluids.

4. Be Careful With Pain Medication

Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medicines unless a doctor has specifically told you they are safe.

Ask whether paracetamol is appropriate for you.

5. Monitor the Period After the Fever Drops

Watch closely for severe dengue warning signs during the 24 to 48 hours after the fever settles.

Seek urgent medical care if symptoms worsen.

6. Avoid Further Mosquito Bites

A person with dengue virus in their blood can potentially infect a mosquito that bites them. That mosquito may later transmit the virus to another person.

Use repellent, wear protective clothing and stay in screened or air-conditioned accommodation where possible.

Dengue does not ordinarily spread directly from person to person. The concern is mosquitoes biting an infected person and then biting someone else.

7. Contact Your Travel Insurer

Contact your insurer as early as practical and follow its instructions.

Keep copies of:

• Medical reports
• Test results
• Prescriptions
• Receipts
• Clinic invoices
• Proof of payment
• Communication with the insurer

8. Seek Care After Returning Home if You Are Still Unwell

Tell your Australian doctor that you have recently been in Bali and provide the dates of your trip.

Do not assume that a fever appearing after your holiday is simply jet lag, a cold or exhaustion.

How Much Did Dengue Medical Treatment in Bali Cost?

For two doctor visits to my villa and two sets of blood tests, the total cost was:

IDR 2,127,760, approximately AUD$205 at the time.

Thankfully, I always travel with travel insurance, so I did not need to worry as much about the expense in the middle of being sick.

That was the cost of my treatment in 2015. It should not be treated as a current quote.

The cost of a doctor for dengue in Bali will depend on:

• The clinic or hospital
• Your location
• Whether the doctor travels to you
• Tests performed
• Medication
• Whether hospitalisation is required
• Your travel insurance arrangements

My Dengue Fever Recovery in Bali

Eight days later, I started feeling much better.

It wasn’t exactly how I imagined my first week in Ubud.

Well, kind of.

I did want to rest, and I did want to eat well, so I guess I fast-tracked that first week.

Once I started feeling better, I was so excited to take a ride on the scooter I had hired, get a massage and visit my friends.

I was lucky enough to have them visit me every other day, but staying home in bed for a week is not my idea of fun.

Enough rest.

Let’s get back to the party!

Of course, recovering from a serious fever is not the time to rush straight back into a packed Bali itinerary. Rest, hydration and following medical advice should come before scooters, massages and cocktails, regardless of how loudly Bali is calling.

How Long Does Dengue Fever Last?

The worst of my illness lasted approximately one week, and I noticed a significant improvement by day eight.

In general, many people recover from symptomatic dengue within one to two weeks. Tiredness and weakness can last longer, and recovery will differ from one person to another.

Severe or ongoing symptoms require medical follow-up.

How to Avoid Dengue Fever in Bali

After 34 visits to Bali, this remains my only suspected experience of dengue fever.

That does not mean the risk should be ignored, but it also does not mean every trip to Bali ends with a mosquito plotting your demise.

The best protection is to reduce mosquito bites.

Use Mosquito Repellent During the Day

The mosquitoes that transmit dengue commonly bite during daylight hours, so protection should not be limited to dusk.

Apply an appropriate repellent containing an effective ingredient such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, also known as PMD, according to the product directions.

Wear Protective Clothing

Where practical, wear:

• Loose-fitting clothing
• Long sleeves
• Long trousers
• Socks and enclosed footwear

Light-coloured clothing may also make mosquitoes easier to spot.

Choose Screened or Air-Conditioned Accommodation

Stay somewhere with:

• Window and door screens
• Air conditioning
• Mosquito nets where required
• Minimal standing water nearby

Close unscreened doors and windows, particularly if mosquitoes are present.

Use Room Protection

During my illness, we set up small electric mosquito repellents in each room. These gently heated a liquid intended to deter those winged beasts.

Room protection can complement personal repellent, but it should not replace it.

Remove Standing Water

Mosquitoes can breed in small collections of water, including:

• Buckets
• Plant saucers
• Open containers
• Blocked gutters
• Discarded cups
• Water collected around outdoor areas

Report significant mosquito problems to your villa manager or accommodation provider.

Is Dengue Common in Bali?

Dengue occurs in Bali and other parts of Indonesia.

Risk varies according to local mosquito activity, weather, season and outbreak conditions. Western Australian health authorities have repeatedly warned travellers about dengue acquired in Bali and noted that the mosquitoes involved commonly bite during the day.

That does not mean you should cancel your Bali holiday.

It means using repellent, wearing suitable clothing and taking unexplained fever seriously.

I have visited Bali 34 times and experienced suspected dengue once.

That is my personal history, not a statistical prediction of anyone else’s risk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dengue Fever in Bali

What Are the First Symptoms of Dengue Fever?

The first symptoms can include a sudden fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, body aches, joint or muscle pain, nausea, tiredness and loss of appetite.

In my case, the first signs were body aches, exhaustion, nausea during yoga and a 39°C fever.

What Does Dengue Fever Feel Like?

For me, it felt like every muscle and joint in my body hurt at once. I was extremely weak, had no appetite and spent several days moving between fever and heavy sweating.

Symptoms vary, and my experience cannot diagnose yours.

What Does a Dengue Rash Look Like?

A dengue rash may appear red, blotchy or widespread. Mine looked like a large, red, splotchy rash and was followed by swelling and sensitivity in my hands and feet.

Many illnesses cause rashes, so photographs alone are not enough for diagnosis.

Can You Get Dengue More Than Once?

Yes.

There are four dengue virus serotypes. Infection with one type does not provide complete lifelong protection against the other types.

Can Dengue Spread Between Family Members?

Dengue is not generally spread directly through ordinary contact between people.

A mosquito may bite an infected person, acquire the virus and later transmit it to someone else. This is why preventing further mosquito bites while unwell is important.

Do Dengue Mosquitoes Bite at Night?

They can bite at different times, but the mosquitoes most associated with dengue are particularly active during daylight hours.

Use protection during the day as well as in the evening.

When Is Dengue Season in Bali?

Dengue can occur throughout the year, although mosquito activity and reported cases may increase during or after wetter periods.

Travellers should use mosquito protection regardless of the month.

Can I Take Ibuprofen if I Think I Have Dengue?

Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin or another anti-inflammatory medicine for suspected dengue unless a qualified doctor specifically advises you to do so.

These medicines may increase bleeding risk.

What Is the Treatment for Dengue Fever in Bali?

There is no specific antiviral cure for dengue.

Treatment may include rest, fluids, paracetamol when medically appropriate, blood tests and monitoring. Severe dengue may require hospital care and intravenous fluids.

Should I Go to Hospital for Dengue?

Seek urgent care if you develop severe stomach pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, breathing difficulty, confusion, extreme weakness, fainting, cold or clammy skin, or a sudden deterioration after your fever drops.

A doctor can advise whether clinic care, monitoring or hospital treatment is required.

How Is Dengue Diagnosed?

Doctors consider your symptoms, examination, recent travel and the timing of the illness. Blood tests may be used, but the appropriate test can depend on when symptoms started.

My own test was negative, so my case remained a suspected clinical diagnosis rather than a laboratory-confirmed infection.

How Long Does Dengue Fatigue Last?

Many people improve within one or two weeks, but weakness and tiredness may continue beyond the fever and other acute symptoms.

Seek medical advice if fatigue is severe, worsening or not improving.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Dengue Treatment in Bali?

It depends on the individual policy, exclusions and claim requirements.

Contact the insurer promptly and keep all medical reports, blood-test results, invoices, receipts and proof of payment.

Is It Safe to Travel to Bali Because of Dengue?

Dengue is a recognised risk in Bali, but millions of people travel to the island.

Your decision should take into account current government travel advice, your personal health, mosquito precautions and access to suitable travel insurance.

I have been to Bali 34 times and experienced suspected dengue only once.

What Should I Do if I Develop a Fever After Leaving Bali?

Seek medical advice and tell the doctor that you have recently travelled to Bali.

Provide your travel dates and explain when the symptoms began. Do not wait for a rash to appear before seeking help.

Would I Return to Bali After Suspected Dengue Fever?

Absolutely.

In fact, I did.

Again and again.

Bali remains one of my favourite places in the world, and one frightening week in Ubud has not changed that.

It did change the way I think about mosquitoes.

I no longer assume that mosquito protection is only needed at night, and I take unexplained fever much more seriously.

Pack the repellent. Wear it during the day. Check that your travel insurance is appropriate. Know where your nearest reputable clinic is.

Then go and enjoy Bali.

Just try not to start your relaxing six-week stay by mistaking a tropical virus for your first yoga class.

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