A young woman's dream birthday holiday in the Maldives turned into a prolonged health nightmare after she contracted a dangerous tropical disease, leaving her unable to work nearly two years later.
From Paradise to Pain: A Holiday Cut Short
In May 2024, online marketer Gina Donner, then 26, travelled to the Maldives with her mother for a joint birthday celebration. The holiday began idyllically, with the pair enjoying a private villa, stunning scenery, and activities like jet skiing.
However, several days into the 11-day trip, the weather turned and Gina began to feel unwell. She developed severe joint pain and her skin started turning red, initially leading her mother to suspect sunburn. As her condition worsened, experiencing intense heat and dizziness, Gina and her mother decided to cut their trip short.
A Missed Diagnosis and a Hospital Stay
Flying via Dubai, Gina saw a doctor who tested her for dengue fever, among other illnesses. The test came back negative, and she was diagnosed with flu and sent home to Germany with medication.
Back in Leipzig, her condition deteriorated further, with red patches and unexplained bruising covering her body. A doctor specialising in tropical diseases immediately admitted her to hospital. Reviewing her notes from Dubai, they confirmed the initial diagnosis was wrong: Gina had dengue fever all along.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne infection with symptoms including high fever, severe headache, and joint pain. There is no specific treatment. Gina spent 10 days in hospital and was told her case was serious.
Lasting Consequences and a Warning to Others
The aftermath of the illness has been life-altering. It took three weeks after discharge for Gina to walk properly again, requiring constant supervision as she was prone to fainting. An active person who worked out daily before her illness, she found even a 10-minute walk exhausting.
Now, 18 months on, Gina continues to suffer from persistent weakness and exhaustion. She remains unable to return to her work as an online marketer.
Gina says she researches destinations thoroughly but had never heard of dengue risk in the Maldives and received no warnings from her hotel. She now urges all travellers to tropical destinations to take robust precautions against mosquitoes, including using repellent and nets.
She is slowly recovering, trying natural remedies like coconut water suggested by people from countries where dengue is common, but her experience serves as a stark warning about the hidden dangers that can lurk in paradise.
