Breastfeeding During Dengue Fever

Benefits of Continuing Breastfeeding During Dengue

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers with dengue fever should continue breastfeeding their infants, as there is no evidence that dengue virus is transmitted through breast milk 1
Continued breastfeeding is particularly important in dengue-endemic areas, as it provides essential nutrition and immune protection for the infant, with breastfeeding reducing the risk of severe or persistent diarrhea by 30% when continued exclusively for 6 months 2, 3

Dengue infection during pregnancy increases maternal morbidity and mortality risk, with pregnant women having higher risk (15%) of developing dengue shock syndrome compared to the non-pregnant population (5%) 5
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that maternal hydration is critical during dengue fever, and mothers should be encouraged to drink adequate fluids while continuing to breastfeed 6
Mothers with dengue should practice good hand hygiene before breastfeeding to minimize risk of transmission through respiratory secretions or direct contact 1

The World Health Organization recommends that mothers with infectious diseases should generally continue breastfeeding, as the benefits outweigh potential risks 7

If a mother is too ill to breastfeed directly, expressed breast milk can be given to the infant, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 6