Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by mosquitos. The virus can't be spread from person to person. Mosquitos that carry the dengue virus are most common in areas of the world with tropical and subtropical climates. Dengue fever is transmitted via the bite of a mosquito harboring the dengue virus. A dengue fever test checks your blood for signs of a dengue fever infection. There are two main types of dengue fever blood tests. One looks for the virus itself; the other checks for antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system to fight foreign substances like viruses.
Symptoms when you need to take a dengue fever test
One may need this test if they live or have recently travelled to an area where dengue is common, and you have symptoms of dengue fever. If you develop dengue fever, symptoms usually begin about 4 to 10 days after the initial infection. In many cases, the symptoms will be mild. They may be mistaken for symptoms of the flu or another infection. It is recommended to get a dengue test done in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and any other metro city on the very onset of a fever that lasts more than a couple of day.
Common symptoms to look out for may include sudden high fever (104°F or higher), swollen glands, rash on the face, severe headache and/or pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) causes more severe symptoms and can be life-threatening. Symptoms of severe dengue can include belly pain and tenderness, mild to severe vomiting (three times in 24 hours), mild bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood or blood in stool, fatigue, restlessness, or irritability.
Before a Dengue fever Test
Your health care provider will probably ask about your symptoms and for details on your recent travels. One can book an affordably priced Dengue test in Delhi, Mumbai, etc., from a reputed pathology lab. If an infection is suspected, you will get a blood test to check for the dengue virus.
During a Dengue Fever Test
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle during a blood test. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
After the Test
A positive result means you probably have been infected with the dengue virus. A negative result can mean you aren't infected or you were tested too soon for the virus to show up in testing. If you think you were exposed to the dengue virus and/or have symptoms of infection, talk to your health care provider about whether you need to be retested as they can guide you the best in such a case. There are no medicines for dengue fever, but your provider will probably recommend that you get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.