Dengue Test

What is a Dengue Test, and Who Needs It?

Transmission of diseases through mosquitoes is not a new thing, and mostly it is curable. But sometimes, these diseases can be life-threatening. One of those life-threatening diseases is dengue. Dengue is an infection that spreads from the bite of mosquitoes. The anopheles mosquitoes carry the infection and transmit the infection into the human body. 

The symptoms of the dengue infection include fever, headache, and chills. Some patients may get no symptoms or some mild symptoms. However, it can become life-threatening and may convert into dengue hemorrhagic fever. In dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood vessel gets damaged, and the condition of shock may arise. The condition of shock can lower blood pressure and cause organ failure. The failure of it can lead to the death of the person. 

Cases of dengue fever are seen in Southeast Asia, South and Central America, Africa, The South Pacific, and the Caribbean islands. The test to recognize the dengue infection is known as the Dengue Test.

Dengue Test: Details

Dengue test is performed for checking the presence of dengue-causing virus in the body. For testing dengue, the blood of the patient is taken out for testing. This test is conducted for all the patients who experience illness or fever. However, there are two types of dengue test which includes, 

1. For checking the virus presence in the body

2. For checking the antibodies to the dengue virus

However, there is no dedicated medicine for curing dengue in a person. But there are many other ways to cure dengue, and it works effectively. 

How is the dengue test executed?

Before conducting the test for the dengue, the healthcare specialist may ask the patient about the symptoms they are facing and the travel history. To confirm the symptoms of dengue, a blood test will be conducted. For conducting the blood test, the healthcare specialist will take a small amount of blood from the infected person’s body. The patient might feel a small pinch while inserting and removing the needle.

Who needs the dengue test?

The test for dengue infection becomes important when a person travels to a place where the dengue virus is quickly spreading or common. To avoid problems in the future, it is better to get tested at an earlier stage. Apart from this, if a person hasn’t traveled to any such place but still facing some symptoms like Sudden high fever, Rashes on the face, Joint and muscle pain, swollen glands, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue. These are all symptoms of dengue fever. Usually, the symptoms of the dengue infection show up in four to seven days after the bite of the mosquito.

However, the dengue test becomes extra important when the dengue converts into dengue hemorrhagic fever. The symptoms of this fever are more dangerous and can be life-threatening. These symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, nose bleeding, restlessness, cold, bleeding gums, blood in urine, blood in stool, severe vomiting, difficulty in breathing, or bleeding under the skin. Any person facing one or two symptoms should seek immediate medical help as any delay in this can become life-threatening.

What does the Dengue test result mean?

The result of the dengue fever test can be either positive or negative. Let’s understand what positive and negative test result means:

1. Positive Test Result

The meaning of the positive result means that the tested person is infected with the dengue virus. In case a person is tested positive for this virus, he/she should consult the doctor immediately. This will help the person to get better treatment. However, there is no proper medicine for this virus. But a patient may be asked to take pain relievers. It is recommended to intake more water during these takes. It helps the person to recover quickly.

However, in the case of dengue hemorrhagic fever, a patient may have to go to the hospital for treatment. In this treatment, a patient will receive fluids through an intravenous line. It can also create a situation of blood transfusion. This can happen in case of extra blood loss.

2. Negative Test Result

There can be two meanings of the negative dengue test. Either the tested person is not infected with the dengue virus or the testing is done before the time. However, idm integration module in case the person is still facing the symptoms of the dengue virus, then one should consult the healthcare provider to see whether a retest is necessary or not.

Precautions for Dengue 

Dengue can be a life-threatening disease. Therefore, one should take precautions for preventing dengue bites. As a precaution one should follow the following things:

1. Use of mosquito net while sleeping

2. Wearing full sleeves shirt for preventing bite

3. Using Insect repellent containing DEET on clothes

4. Make use of screens on doors and windows.

With the above-listed precautions, dengue fever can be prevented.

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Christophe Rude

Christophe Rude

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