The city reported 1,097 cases in the past week, up 7 per cent from the average of the previous four weeks, bringing the total to 25,774 through week 32.
Children's Hospital No. 2 recorded 270 dengue outpatients and 104 discharged inpatients from August 1-13, with 25 children still receiving treatment on August 14.
According to Vu Thi Thuy Duong, deputy head of the department, dengue cases among children were rising, including some severe cases.
Xuyen A General Hospital receives around 15-20 dengue patients a day, with about one-third requiring admission. Meanwhile, the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases, around 120 dengue patients were being treated on August 14, with severe cases receiving intensive care.
Van Thi Xuan Quynh, deputy head of the department, said some patients had developed dengue shock, organ damage and severe gastrointestinal bleeding, with some requiring transfer to higher-level hospitals.
There is no specific treatment for dengue, with care focused on supportive treatment and managing complications. Doctors said early detection and close monitoring were therefore critical.
Nguyen Thanh Phong, deputy director of the hospital, said dengue could become severe as fever subsides. Plasma leakage can reduce circulating blood volume, causing low blood pressure and shock.
Prolonged shock can lead to multiple organ damage, blood-clotting disorders and bleeding, significantly increasing the risk of death.
Severe patients may require intensive care, respiratory support, dialysis, blood transfusions or blood products, depending on their condition.
Phong noted that the disappearance of fever did not mean a patient had recovered. People with obesity or underlying medical conditions may also face a higher risk of complications and more difficult treatment.
Doctors advised people with fever to seek medical attention, while dengue patients should attend follow-up appointments, particularly during the critical phase even after fever subsides.
They also recommended dengue vaccination, particularly for eligible people at higher risk, in accordance with medical guidance.
During the rainy season, residents are advised to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by covering or removing containers that collect water, regularly cleaning water storage containers and eliminating mosquito larvae.
The HCM City Centre for Disease Control also recommends using mosquito nets, including during the day, wearing long-sleeved clothing and taking other appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites.
Residents should cooperate with mosquito-control and spraying campaigns organised by local health authorities to help reduce dengue transmission.