Dengue is an infectious disease caused by a virus. You can get it if an infected mosquito bites you. It is common in warm, wet areas of the world. Outbreaks happen in the rainy season. Most people with dengue recover within 2 weeks. However, some dengue infections are severe and cause bleeding from your nose, gums or under your skin. Severe dengue can also cause massive bleeding and shock, which is life threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment of dengue is critical as epidemics of the disease become larger and more frequent. An estimated 50 to 100 million people are infected with dengue each year in over 100 countries. In severe cases, people infected with dengue may experience severe bleeding, shock and death. Severe dengue is often treated with aggressive emergency treatment, which includes fluid and electrolyte replacement. Prompt treatment can be lifesaving. Dengue can be prevented by limiting exposure to the mosquitoes that carry the virus.