dengue early antigen test

Dengue fever is a viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms start about 3 to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Dengue symptoms include vomiting, headache, rash on skin, joint and muscle pains, and high fever. In some cases, dengue can develop into dengue haemorrhagic fever causing internal bleeding, leakage of blood plasma, very low platelet count, and extremely low blood pressure. These conditions are life-threatening and even fatal.

Dengue fever is caused by a virus that is passed on to humans when an infected mosquito bites us. This virus is transmitted by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito which bites mainly during the early morning and twilight hours. Thus, the causes of dengue epidemics are the mosquitoes that spread the dengue virus from an infected person to a healthy person.

Other causes of dengue include transfusion of virus-infected blood to a healthy individual and transmission of the virus from a pregnant mother to her child. Dengue cannot be spread by direct physical contact with another infected person.

There is no antiviral treatment available for this disease. Dengue treatment is done by managing the symptoms of dengue. It is important for patients with dengue to stay hydrated in order to maintain the balance of fluids in their bodies. Oral rehydration therapy is a way to manage this. Paracetamol is used to manage the fever. There is no dengue cure available. The disease is usually self-limiting and goes away after two weeks in a typical infection. Some people, however, may become critical and have severe internal bleeding or dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Dengue can be prevented by eliminating the Aedes agypti mosquitoes that spread the dengue virus. Protecting oneself from being bitten by mosquitoes is the most effective way of preventing dengue. Proper management of the environment to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and spreading also helps in preventing dengue. Dengue mosquitoes breed in open containers holding water in households and do not fly beyond 200 metres from their breeding place. Hence, storing water in closed containers and eliminating open water sources ensures that the mosquitoes cannot breed.

A person infected with dengue should be protected from getting bitten by mosquitoes again as secondary dengue infections can be serious and even fatal. Also, when mosquitoes bite an infected person, they become vectors and can transmit the dengue virus to uninfected people in the house. Thus, precautions for dengue prevention include personal protection from mosquito bites and maintaining a clean, mosquito-free environment.

If a doctor suspects that have dengue symptoms, you will need to get lab tests done to confirm the diagnosis. The laboratory tests done to diagnose dengue are isolation of dengue virus using cell cultures, detecting the viral genetic material (RNA) in the blood sample using a Polymerase Chain Reactor, detection of IgG and IgM antibodies in the blood, and detection of NS1 antigen in the patient’s blood sample. The dengue normal range or result for the antibody and antigen tests is that they are not present in the blood sample. Their presence indicates viral infection.

The dengue test for NS1 antigen is a test for early diagnosis of dengue. This test looks for the presence of the dengue NS1 antigen which is a protein and toxin produced by the dengue virus. It is detected in the lab by a method called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). This protein causes our body to produce an immune response by making antibodies to fight this viral infection. The NS1 antigen is present in the blood of an infected person as soon as the dengue symptoms show up. Thus, this test helps in early detection of the dengue virus.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of the symptoms is important for successful recovery from dengue. Dengue treatment, if started early, can prevent the disease from becoming critical or fatal. Thus, the NS1 antigen test helps in early diagnosis, timely treatment of dengue, and fatalities.

If you are feeling sick and visiting a hospital or clinic and waiting in a queue seems like a difficult task, you can book an appointment with us for an in-home doctor service. The appointment can be booked by an email or through a phone call. The doctor will examine you and recommend tests or treatments in the comfort of your home.

If the doctor recommends a diagnostic test for dengue, you can call or email us for a lab test appointment. If you want a dengue test at home, we will send trained medical professionals to collect the test samples from your home and the dengue test reports will be sent to you through email.

Our in-home lab service can help you get a dengue test done at home. The dengue test cost is very affordable and we can help you get dengue treatment at home. This is especially convenient if you do not want to travel far for doctors or wait in queues at clinics. If you are wondering, ‘where can I find a facility for a dengue test near me’, the answer is right in the comfort of your own home! Most dengue cases do not require hospitalisation and can be managed at home. We can help you with this as we have healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses who provide in-home service. You can book services such as doctor visits, lab tests, and nursing assistance by email or through a phone call. This way, you can get the lab tests and treatment that you require right in your own home, surrounded by family members.

Dengue can be prevented by eliminating the breeding grounds of the mosquito vectors, such as open water sources. Protecting yourself from mosquito bites is also an effective method of preventing dengue. You can do this by wearing clothing that covers the body completely and by applying mosquito repellent cream or patches.

Most cases of dengue can be treated at home if detected early. The NS1 antigen test is the most effective for early diagnosis of dengue infection. The main focus of treatment is to ensure that the patient gets adequate hydration. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is used to manage the fever. If the symptoms are treated properly, the patient should recover in around two weeks.