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What is Dengue Test?
Dengue test is a blood test performed to diagnose dengue fever, a viral fever caused by mosquitos. Mosquitos that carry dengue virus are prevalent in areas with a tropical and subtropical climate. Dengue test helps identify the presence or absence of dengue virus or its antibodies in blood. Dengue fever does not spread from individual to individual. It occurs due to exposure to, and infection with any of the dengue virus serotypes, 1-4. Most individuals infected with dengue do not experience any symptoms or may experience mild flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever and chills.
However, repeated exposure to dengue virus may lead to progression of dengue to a more severe form known as dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)
Children under 10 years of age or individuals who are infected with dengue virus for the second time before the completion of the previous treatment. As individual response to dengue virus is complex, diagnosis of dengue involves a combination of blood tests. These include molecular tests (polymerase chain reaction) for dengue virus, complete blood count, antibody tests and basic metabolic panel.
- Molecular testing: It detects the genetic material of dengue virus and helps in identifying the serotype of the virus responsible for causing the infection. Though it does not detect the virus after 7 days of illness. In case of negative results, an antibody test is recommended to establish the diagnosis.
- Antibody testing: This test is used to detect current or recent infection with dengue virus. It identifies the presence or absence of two different class of antibodies, IgM and IgG. IgM antibody testing is more effective if performed at least 7-10 days after exposure. Levels of this antibody reduce below detectable levels after a few months. IgG antibody levels rise slowly during the infection, increase particularly in acute infection, stabilise and then persist for an extended period.
