Dengue Fever Virus, Dengue Antibodies (IgG), Dengue Virus by PCR.

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that live in tropical and subtropical climates and carry the virus. Blood testing detects the dengue virus or antibodies produced in response to dengue infection.

If a person develops a fever within two weeks following travel to an area where dengue fever is present, it may be prudent to test for dengue fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dengue infections have been reported in more than 100 countries from parts of Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific. It is a fast emerging infectious disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), with an increasing number of cases and countries affected throughout the world. Approximately 50 to 100 million cases occur annually worldwide.

In the U.S., the majority of dengue cases occur in travelers returning from areas where dengue is endemic. Most dengue cases in U.S. citizens occur in those inhabitants of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Samoa and Guam. Outbreaks where a large number of cases occur in a defined area are rare in the U.S. In recent years, there have been small outbreaks in Texas and Hawaii and a few cases diagnosed in southern Florida.

Many individuals will develop no symptoms at all, or have only a mild illness when exposed to one of the four serotypes of the dengue virus. For those who do develop symptoms, prognosis is still very good for full recovery within a few weeks. The most common initial symptoms are a sudden high fever (104°F or 40°C) and flu-like symptoms that appear roughly 4 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito (this is called the incubation period and can range from 3 to 14 days). Additional signs and symptoms may include severe headache, especially behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, and swollen glands.

Some people who develop a fever will recover on their own with no lasting ill effects while others may progress to severe dengue fever (sometimes called Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever). If the disease progresses to this form, a new wave of symptoms will appear 3 to 7 days after initial symptoms and as the fever recedes. These may include nose bleeds, vomiting blood, passing blood in the stool, difficulty breathing and cold clammy skin, especially in the extremities. During the second phase, the virus may attack blood vessels (the vascular system), causing capillaries to leak fluid into the space around the lungs (pleural effusion) or into the abdominal cavity (ascites). Currently, there is no explanation as to why dengue fever resolves itself harmlessly in some people while progressing to the severe form in others.

The loss of blood and fluid during the second phase, if untreated, can sometimes develop into a rare condition known as Dengue Shock Syndrome and can be fatal. In order to avoid that complication, a doctor may hospitalize a patient with dengue fever so that falling blood pressure and dehydration caused by the loss of blood and fluids can be managed while the disease runs its course ? generally a period of one to two weeks. During the following week of recovery, a person may develop a second rash that lasts a week or more.

Dengue fever is usually diagnosed via some combination of blood tests because the body's immune response to the virus is dynamic and complex. Laboratory tests may include:

Molecular tests for dengue virus (PCR)?detect the presence of the virus itself; these tests can diagnose dengue fever up to 5 days after the onset of symptoms. Antibody tests, IgM and IgG?detect antibodies produced by the immune system when a person has been exposed to the virus; these tests are most effective when performed at least 7-10 days after exposure. Complete blood count (CBC)?to look for low platelet count typical of the later stages of the illness and to detect the decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell (RBC) count (evidence of anemia) that would occur with blood loss associated with severe dengue fever Basic metabolic panel (BMP) ? to monitor kidney function and look for evidence of dehydration that can occur with severe illness

Dengue Fever Virus

Dengue test is an easy, specific and rapid test that confirms the diagnosis in the early phase of dengue infection. NS1 antigen is a non-structural protein which is identified as a marker for the acute phase of dengue infection. Thus, for patients suspected of acute dengue fever, especially those with symptoms of fever lasting for five days or less, the doctor recommends performing a dengue antigen rapid test. For patients with fever lasting for more than six days and suspected to have a dengue illness, the dengue NS1 antigen rapid test may be considered simultaneously with an assay of dengue specific IgM.

You should do dengue test when you will observe following symptoms:

• sudden, high fever (up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit)
• severe headache
• swollen lymph glands
• severe joint and muscle pains
• skin rash (appearing between two and five days after the initial fever)
• mild to severe nausea
• mild to severe vomiting
• mild bleeding from the nose or gums
• mild bruising on the skin
• febrile convulsions

Dengue fever testing is used to determine whether a person with signs and symptoms and recent potential exposure has been infected with the dengue virus. The infection is difficult to diagnose without laboratory tests because symptoms may initially resemble those of other diseases, such as chikungunya infection. Two primary types of testing are available:

• Molecular testing (polymerase chain reaction, PCR)?this type of test detects the genetic material of the dengue virus in blood within the first week after symptoms appear (fever) and can be used to determine which of the 4 serotypes is causing the infection. One type of Real Time RT-PCR test can detect dengue and the two other mosquito-borne viruses, Zika and chikungunya, and distinguish between the three. Only certain public health laboratories are able to provide the test after verifying that they can successfully perform the assay. Though the test is not available in hospitals or clinics, healthcare practitioners are able to order it through their state and local public health departments. Results can take from four days to two weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Molecular tests of blood are not likely to detect the virus after 7 days of illness. If the result of a PCR test is negative, an antibody test can be used to help establish a diagnosis, according to the CDC (see below).

• Antibody tests?these tests are primarily used to help diagnose a current or recent infection. They detect two different classes of antibodies produced by the body in response to a dengue fever infection, IgG and IgM. Diagnosis may require a combination of these tests because the body's immune system produces varying levels of antibodies over the course of the illness.

IgM antibodies are produced first and tests for these are most effective when performed at least 7-10 days after exposure. Levels in the blood rise for a few weeks, then gradually decrease. After a few months, IgM antibodies fall below detectable levels.

IgG antibodies are produced more slowly in response to an infection. Typically, the level rises with an acute infection, stabilizes, and then persists long-term. Individuals who have been exposed to the virus prior to the current infection maintain a level of IgG antibodies in the blood that can affect the interpretation of diagnostic results.

Following dengue infection, the incubation period varies from 3 to 7 days and, while some infections remain asymptomatic, the majority of individuals will develop classic dengue fever.

Symptomatic patients become acutely febrile and present with severe musculoskeletal pain, headache, retro-orbital pain, and a transient macular rash, most often observed in children. Fever defervescence signals disease resolution in most individuals. However, children and young adults remain at increased risk for progression to dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, particularly during repeat infection with a new DV serotype.

iHealthMantra

We at iHealthMantra enable patients to book their diagnostics tests from best Diagnostics Labs in India such as Thyrocare, Dr Lal Pathlabs, Metropolis, Suburban Diagnostics, Medall Clumax and many others top quality diagnostic labs. Diagnostics tests booked through us are at low price and patients can avail free home sample collection.

We also provide preventive health checkups, Regular Health check-up, Health checkup packages, Thyroid Profile, PET Scan, MRI Scan, CT Scan, Full body check up, Vitamin D Profile, Lipid Profile, Renal Function Tests and other blood tests. Provided below is a brief description of few of our partner labs.

About Thyrocare

Thyrocare, with its tag line of Think Thyroid, Think Thyrocare, is India's first fully automated diagnostic laboratory with a focus on providing quality at affordable costs to retail customers, laboratories and hospitals in India and other countries. Thyrocare has strong focus on technology, brand and systems that enables Thyrocare laboratories to give their clients the best of science and technology at an affordable cost. Thyrocare laboratories have NABL and CAP accreditations. Thyrocare supports home sample collection to provide convenience to customers.Thyrocare is a PAN India chain with services across all the major Indian cities such New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

Key tests and health profiles supported by Thyrocare are: T3, T4, TSH also called Thyroid Profile, TSH also called Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Thyrocare Aarogyam Packages such as Mini Aarogyam, Aarogyam A, Aarogyam B, Aarogyam C, Vitamin Profiles such as Vitamin D Profile and Vitamin D3 test.

About Metropolis

Metropolis is India?s one of the biggest and multinational chain of pathology labs and diagnostics centre known for excellent customer satisfaction and preventive healthcare. Metropolis has following accreditations, CAP, NABL and RNTCP. Metropolis Healthcare has been honoured for its best practices and its commitment to excellence in customer satisfaction and innovation. The journey of Metropolis started in 1981, when its Founder and Chairman, Dr. Sushil Shah had a vision to introduce specialized testing facilities to the Indian population. Processing over 30 million tests a year, catering to over 20,000 Laboratories, Hospitals, Nursing Homes and 2,00,000 consultants; and with 34 years of experience in delivering accurate reports, Metropolis has earned the reputation of being India's multinational chain of laboratories with a strong presence in Sri Lanka, UAE, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius & Ghana. Metropolis supports home sample collection to provide convenience to customers. Metropolis is a PAN India chain with services across all the major Indian cities such New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Common Tests supported by Metropolis are Lipid Profile, Thyroid Profile, Vitamin D Profile, Renal function test, Blood Tests, Vitamin D3, TSH, T3, T4, Diabetes Test, ECG test, thalassemia test, preventive health checkups, Regular Health check-up, Health checkup packages and Full body check up.

About Dr Lal Pathlabs

Dr Lal PathLabs is a leading Diagnostic Centre and Pathology Lab for Blood Test in India. Dr Lal PathLabs has a strong focus on quality with NABL accreditation. Dr Lal PathLabs has a qualified team of Pathologists, Radiologists, Microbiologists, Biochemists and specialists. Dr Lal PathLabs supports home sample collection to provide convenience to customers. Dr Lal PathLabs is a PAN India chain with services across all the major Indian cities such New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

Common Tests supported by Dr Lal PathLabs are Lipid Profile, Thyroid Profile, Vitamin D Profile, Renal function test, Blood Tests, Vitamin D3, TSH, T3, T4, Diabetes Test, ECG test, thalassemia test, preventive health checkups, Regular Health check-up, Health checkup packages and Full body check up. Few unique health packages supported by Dr Lal PathLabs are Swasth Plus Basic Health Checkup, Swasth Plus Advanced Health Checkup and Swasth Plus Vitamins Package.

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