Dengue Test

A dengue test is carried out to identify the presence of dengue virus in blood or antibodies produced by the body to fight the virus. It is performed in individuals who have recently visited high-risk areas such as Southeast Asia, Africa, South and Central America and the Caribbean. It is also recommended in individuals experiencing the following symptoms:

• Sudden high fever (40°C or higher)
• Rash on the face
• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle pain
• Joint and bone pain
• Reduced levels of white blood cell count

Dengue test is also recommended in case of DHF, which presents with the following symptoms:

• Vomiting that does not stop
• Severe pain in abdomen
• Difficulty in breathing
• Bleeding gums and nosebleeds
• Presence of blood in urine or stool
• Restlessness
• Severe reduction of blood pressure
• Organ failure
• Cold and damp skin
• Bleeding under the skin surface that appears like a bruise

(Read more: Dengue diet)

No special preparations are needed for dengue test. However, it is important to inform your doctor about any health conditions or medicines that you might be taking. Also, he/she should know about an ongoing or possible pregnancy.

A needle is inserted in a vein in an arm, and a blood sample is collected in a test tube or vial. The test requires about 5 minutes.

A little sting is felt at the site of needle prick during the test, and there is a very slight risk of bruising in the area of needle insertion. However, most of the time, these symptoms disappear in a short while after the test.

Dengue test results will indicate the presence or absence of dengue fever.

Normal result: A negative result, i.e., a result indicating the absence of dengue virus and dengue antibodies in blood sample is generally considered a normal result. Such individuals are not infected with dengue virus. However, sometimes the results are negative if the test is conducted at a very early stage; hence, it is important to check in with a doctor to get the correct diagnosis.

Abnormal results: A positive result, i.e., a result indicating the presence of dengue virus and/or its antibodies in blood sample is considered an abnormal result. Such individuals are considered to be infected with dengue virus and should consult a doctor for the appropriate treatment measures.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. This is information purely from the educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.