“From Survivor to Activist: How Dengue Fever Changed My Life Forever”

 

🦠 From Survivor to Activist: How Dengue Fever Changed My Life Forever

By a Sudanese Dengue Survivor

🛏️ I Thought It Was Just the Flu…

At first, it felt like a regular fever.

I was 25, energetic, and had just in my final exam to get my MBBS, UofK in Kassala. I was excited to explore Kassal with my friends after exams.

Then came the headaches.

The bone pain.

The high fever that wouldn’t go away.

I thought it was a bad cold or maybe just exhaustion from stress. But within two days, I couldn’t get out of bed.

⚠️The Act That Shook Me at Kassala's Hospitals

At the hospital, I was not told I had dengue fever. I asked my doctor if it could be dengue fever as Kassal is known endemic area in dengue fever and experienced most that one outbreak last years?”

but the doctor sent me for further investigation.... later in that day i get worse, fever never goes away for which i consult an internist by phone who saif its dengue fever,  

 My platelets dropped so low that the internist said, “don't think ever to take pain killers rather than Panadol as other painkillers increase the risk of getting into bleeding stage of dengue fever.” 

💔 The Hardest Part Wasn’t the Pain

It was the helplessness.

My mother was not able to sleep for days i was sick, and far away. 

I couldn’t eat. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t move.

I kept thinking about how many people might be going through this silently, in villages with no clinics or hospitals.

🌱 The Turning Point

After I recovered (by Allah’s grace), I realized something that changed me:

Most people in Sudan still don’t understand how dangerous dengue is—until it hits them.

That’s not okay.

I started reading, researching, watching videos, and following doctors online. I began posting awareness tips on Facebook, blogger, and even talking at my neighborhood around me.  

I’m a junior doctor. 

I’m not rich. 

But I survived—and that gives me a responsibility.

🔑 5 Things I Wish Every Sudanese Knew About Dengue Fever

If you have a fever + joint pain, don’t ignore it. It might be dengue.

Mosquitoes breed in clean water, not just dirty puddles. Check water tanks, flowerpots, and buckets. 

One mosquito bite can infect your whole household. Protect yourself and your family.

Dengue has no cure—only prevention and early treatment.

If you survive it, speak out. Your voice could save someone else’s life.

✊ This Fight Belongs to All of Us

You don’t need to be a health worker to make a difference.

You can educate your neighbors.

Clean your yard.

Post on social media.

Start conversations.

I nearly lost everything to dengue. But I gained a purpose:

To make sure no one else has to suffer in silence.

💬 Get Involved

If you’ve survived dengue, or if it has affected your family—share your story in the comments or message me. Let’s build a community of survivors and advocates in Sudan.

Together, we are stronger than the mosquito.