When a person witnesses a rise in their body temperature, it is said that the person has a fever. It can be due to certain illnesses or infections that the body counters by raising the internal temperature. Fever is just a symptom that indicates that the body has some kind of illness or infection. A medical professional suggests a fever panel test to diagnose the root cause of the fever.
What is the Fever Panel Test?
A fever panel test is a series of blood tests that are performed to detect any underlying medical condition in an individual. Usually, the doctor recommends this test when the person has a persistent fever along with other common symptoms. There are many reasons why a person may develop a fever as an immune system response to fight infection. It can be due to a viral infection, dengue, malaria, typhoid, or any other cause. The exact reason behind the rising body temperature can only be diagnosed by taking a fever test. The result of this comprehensive diagnostic test enables the doctor to understand the individual’s medical condition and come up with a proper treatment plan.
Common Symptoms That Call for a Fever Panel Test
- Persistent fever
- Body ache
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Chills
What Tests are Included in the Fever Panel?
A fever panel test is done by taking a blood sample from the person. In some cases, urinalysis is conducted as part of this test for the screening of urinary tract infections. Usually, these tests are included in the fever panel:
- Typhoid Fever
- Dengue Fever
- Basic LFT
- Urine Culture and Sensitivity
- Complete Blood Count
- Malaria
Preparation for the Fever Panel Test
There is no specific preparation required for taking the fever panel test. However, one should always inform the doctor about any medication that they are currently taking for any pre-existing medical condition. This is required because certain medications may affect the test results of the fever panel test. Furthermore, in some cases, the medical practitioner may ask the person to fast before taking the test. The fasting period is usually 8–10 hours. During this time, the person should not eat or drink any food or beverage. It is important to note that even if the person is fasting, they should always be hydrated before taking a fever panel test. It helps the body function at its optimum level and maintains its hydration level.
Fever Panel Test Package
There are a number of medical laboratories that conduct fever panel tests at affordable prices. It is always recommended to get any medical test from a reputed laboratory with a number of lab centers in different parts of the city. It allows one to easily visit the laboratory for any follow-up test. These days, one can also opt for at-home sample collection by booking the test online. The phlebotomist visits the person’s home at a scheduled time and collects blood samples in a sterile container. The test is performed at the test lab, and results are usually generated on the same day.
A laboratory with trained medical professionals, strict protocols, and a timely report delivery system is preferred by doctors. The cost of a fever panel test is not a lot. So, one can get it done at the nearest lab center and take the report to their doctor for interpretation and a treatment plan.