Common Types of Tests Recommended to Diagnose Dengue Fever

Posted by Aisha Kapoor on February 24th, 2020

Weakness, muscle pain, and fever are some of the common symptoms of dengue. It is important that people get a blood test done in case they notice any indication of the dengue fever within themselves.

Tests to diagnose dengue fever

In majority of cases, a complete dengue platelet count test is recommended by doctors in case they suspect that their patients are suffering from dengue fever. However, it is a nonspecific test as it does not help the doctors to confirm the presence of the dengue virus, as well as to detect the type of virus. In order to detect the presence of the dengue virus in their blood, people typically have to undergo certain definitive tests. Here are some of these tests:

• Dengue NS1 Antigen: This is a blood test that is done in order to detect the dengue virus when the infection is at its early stages. This test should ideally be done within the four or five days after a person notices any indication of the dengue fever in themselves. After the first five to seven days, the chances of negative and false-positive results tend to be high in case of such tests. The Dengue NS1 Antigen reports can be ideally obtained within one day, and it is one of the most cost-effective lab tests available for dengue.

• Immunoglobulin M (IgM): This test is focussed on detecting IgM (antibodies) in the blood, which might appear in the early stages of the disease. This test can also assist the doctors to differentiate between primary and secondary infection. Primary infection refers to people getting infected by the dengue virus for the first time, while the latter indicates a second time infection. People are usually recommended an IgM test in case they are experiencing dengue symptoms for more than a week. The reason behind this is that while IgM levels are detectable in patients usually by the third day of the infection, the detection percentages increases significantly by day five. For IgM rapid test, the test reports might be available in a couple of hours, while for the IgM ELISA test it may take 1-2 days.

• Immunoglobulin G (IgG): This test is used for the purpose of detecting infection in the latter stages of the disease because the level of IgG in the blood increases at a slow rate then. In most cases, this level starts to increase gradually six to ten days after the infection. These antibodies can subsequently remain in the blood for around ninety days and even more. An IgG/IgM is commonly recommended by the doctors in order to distinguish between primary and secondary dengue infections. The reports of this dengue test are generally available after a week or so.

• Dengue RNA PCR test: This is another popular test that is used for detecting the dengue virus in the early stages of the infection. The positive result of the Dengue RNA PCR test aids in identifying the diverse serotypes of the dengue virus, in addition to confirming the presence of the virus. Reports of such tests are usually available in a couple of days.

To get any of the above-mentioned tests done, it is important that people visit a reliable and renowned pathology lab that can provide them with accurate reports within the time.