A dengue patient defervesces on day 5 — then develops abdominal pain and restlessness. The critical phase follows fever's fall — plasma leakage (rising hematocrit, falling platelets) causes shock; warning signs (abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, restlessness, mucosal bleed) demand IV fluids titrated to hematocrit. Paracetamol only — NSAIDs/aspirin worsen bleeding. Platelets transfused only for active bleeding, not numbers. Dengue kills in the afebrile window — watch the patient, not the thermometer.