Hello, A typical dengue experience lasts around a week to ten days. It commences with loss of appetite, a high fever and aching joints. It is after the fever subsides that the changes in platelet count normally occur. This count needs to be closely monitored as treatment is determined by how low your platelets are. There is no cure for dengue. Instead painkillers can be taken to bring down the fever. It is important to note that aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (otherwise known as brufen or nurofen) must be avoided as they thin the blood and can worsen the situation. Muscle relaxants can be taken in an attempt to reduce the bone and joint pain. Once hospitalised, patients may be placed on a drip and have a blood test each day to monitor their platelet level. In cases where platelets drop too far a platelet transfusion may be given and in extreme (life threatening) situations a blood transfusion takes place. You need to monitor his illness by admission to hospital.