A harmless mosquito bite can be the reason for major agony for most. Mosquito bites can cause illnesses like malaria and dengue. Dengue is an illness caused by a mosquito bite and is characterized by flu-like symptoms: fever, body pain, tiredness, loss of strength, weakening of the immune system, and a decline in the platelet count. Dengue is a viral infection transferred by a mosquito bite. A species of mosquito called Aedes aegypti is the carrier of the dengue virus. A dengue test is performed to detect antibodies against the dengue virus.

What is a dengue test?

The dengue test is a simple blood test to confirm the presence of the virus in the body. The blood is collected and tested in the laboratory for 

1. The presence of the dengue virus.
2. Confirming dengue by checking for IgG and IgM antibodies developed against the virus.
3. Complete blood count to evaluate the count of blood cells, haemoglobin, and platelets.

What are the other names for the dengue test?

A dengue test is also known as an IgG or IgM test or a Dengue Fever Antibodies Panel (IgG and IgM).

A nucleic acid amplification test is a different form of the dengue test, in which the virus is detected based on the presence of its specific DNA sequences.

What are the test parameters included in a dengue test?

The dengue antigen or antibody tests primarily detect the pathogenic antigen or antibodies (IgG and IgM) against the specific pathogen, respectively. Dengue affects various blood cells in the body. Therefore, the level of various blood cells is also tested. Since the platelet count declines considerably in dengue, it is also tested.

What does a dengue test measure?

A dengue test will measure the following parameters to confirm the dengue virus and infection.

1. IgM & IgG: antibodies produced by the body in response to the dengue virus. IgM is produced as a part of a natural response to the virus from the immune system.
2. Hb: haemoglobin levels are evaluated to check for anaemia. 
3. RBC: The red blood cell count is evaluated. Dengue often leads to anaemia, which can be life-threatening in some cases. The test evaluates the RBC count and haemoglobin level to assess the severity of the dengue infection.
4. WBC: The white blood cell count is drastically reduced in severe cases of dengue. This is because the dengue virus multiplies and spreads the infection by damaging the immune system.
5. Platelets: Dengue virus infection causes a sudden drop in platelets, which can lead to a life-threatening situation. Platelets are responsible for the clotting of blood. A drop of platelets below 10000/mltr can cause complications induced by internal bleeding.
6. NAAT: The nucleic acid of the virus is tested by a process called PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

What is the normal range of a dengue test?

Who should get a dengue test?

Dengue has flu-like symptoms. But if you are having a fever for more than 5 days combined with any of these symptoms, you should get a dengue test done.

 Symptoms of dengue include fever with:

1. Severe muscle and joint pain.
2. Extreme and persistent headache.
3. Tiredness and fatigue.
4. Nausea & vomiting: inability to consume food.
   

What are the preparations for a dengue test?

Dengue requires a simple blood test; no preparations are required for this test. The antibody test should be conducted on or after the 7th day of symptom onset for the most accurate results. For the NAAT test, it is ideal to get tested within the 7th day of symptom onset.

What is the cost of a dengue test?

The following are the costs for a dengue test at Orange Health in different Indian cities:

What types of samples are required for a dengue test?

A single sample of blood is sufficient for a dengue antibody test. To perform and confirm infection by the dengue virus, a blood sample collected on or after the 7th day (of symptom onset) is ideal.

Who performs a dengue blood test?

Usually, a healthcare provider known as a phlebotomist performs the blood sample collection. Any healthcare provider trained to draw blood can collect the blood sample required for the test. The blood sample is sent to the laboratory, where the laboratory technician prepares the samples and performs tests on a machine called the analyzer.

What should I expect during my dengue blood test?

You can expect the following during a blood test.

1. You'll be seated in a chair & the healthcare provider will check your arms for an easily accessible vein. This is usually present in the inner part of your arm on the other side of your elbow.
2. Once they’ve located a vein, they’ll clean and disinfect the area.
3. A small needle will be inserted to draw a blood sample. This may feel like a small pinch.
4. A small amount of blood will be collected in the test tube.
5. Once the blood is collected, the needle is removed and a cotton ball is placed on site to stop the bleeding.
6. They’ll place a bandage on the site and complete the procedure.

The entire procedure takes less than 5 mins.

What should I expect after a dengue test?

After the test, the sample is sent to the laboratory. Once the results are ready, the healthcare provider will share the results with you.

What are the risks of a dengue test?

The dengue blood test is a simple procedure and generally involves no risk or complications whatsoever.

When can I expect my test results?

At Orange Health, the results of the dengue profile test are delivered to your registered email and mobile number within a record time of 6 hours.

What do the results of the dengue test mean?

The dengue blood test will evaluate the parameters of the test and compare it to the normal range (as mentioned in the table above). An abnormality or deviation from the normal range may signify the presence of dengue infection.

What are normal dengue test reports?

The normal test reports for dengue are obtained when each parameter (IgG and IgM values, haemoglobin levels, etc.) are within the normal range. When the results are above the normal values, a visit to your physician is mandatory. They will look at the values obtained in each test and help diagnose a potential infection. A visit to your physician is strictly recommended.

What other test I might have along with dengue test?

In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe a PCR test. It is another confirmatory test for the dengue virus, in which the virus itself is detected based on the genetic sequences present in the sample. The test is usually effective when conducted within 7 days of symptom onset.

How to book a  dengue test at home?

Booking a home test with Orange Health is simple and quick. Follow these steps to book a test.

1. Log onto the orange health website.
2. Fill in the details in our easy-to-use order form. This simple information form takes less than 2 mins to fill out.
3. Choose the day and time slot preferred by you and click on the "book now" button to confirm your appointment.

Our trained and vaccinated eMedic will visit you based on the selected time slot for sample collection.

Dengue test at home in Bangalore

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