Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid Test
Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid Test
The Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test detects the presence of non-structural (NS1) antigen in your blood. The NS1 antigen is a protein produced by the dengue virus in your blood. The NS1 antigen test helps identify dengue fever and is accurate for the first 7 days of infection. Additionally, the NS1 assay is helpful for the differential diagnosis of flavivirus (a virus that causes dengue fever). This test detects the NS1 antigen before the formation of IgM antibodies.
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A rapid test is a quick and accurate method for determining the presence of the NS1 dengue viral antigen in human serum, plasma, or whole blood. This test helps to diagnose the acute phase of primary and secondary dengue infections. Thus, getting the dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test done is recommended for early detection of dengue infection and for preventing fatal conditions like dengue haemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome, reduced blood cell counts, etc.
Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test is also known as NS1 Dengue Test, Dengue NS-1 Antigen test, Dengue Virus NS1 Antigen
Symptoms of Dengue
The common symptoms of Dengue fever include
Fatigue
High fever
Headache
Joint and muscle pain
Nausea and vomiting
Skin rashes
Abdominal pain
Rapid breathing
Pain around the eyes
Blood in urine
Who should get tested?
Dengue test is recommended in the following cases:
Having symptoms of dengue fever
Recent travel to a tropical or sub-tropical country
Test preparation:
No special preparation is required before taking the Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test. Make sure your healthcare provider is aware of your medications before the test.
Interpretation of results
The Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test results can be positive or negative.
Negative result
If your test results were negative, it indicates the absence of the NS1 antigen in your blood. It means that you are not having symptoms due to dengue fever.
Positive result
If your test results were positive, it indicates the presence of the NS1 antigen in your blood. It means that you are having symptoms due to dengue fever.
Note: It is advised to perform an NS1 Antigen Rapid test within the first five days of a fever. Dengue fever antibodies IgG & IgM by ELISA are the suggested test after 7-10 days of ongoing fever
FAQs
How is Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test performed?
During this blood test, a healthcare professional will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a small needle, which is then collected in a test tube or vial. This usually takes no longer than five minutes
What are the risks involved in a Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test?
This test involves negligible risk. During a blood test, one may experience minor pain or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms will subside quickly.
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the result of a Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test?
Dengue NS1 Antigen, Rapid test result is usually available within the same day the test was taken, but at times it could take longer
Can dengue fever be transmitted from an infected person to a normal person?
Person-to-person contact or exposure to respiratory secretions does not spread the virus. The virus spreads when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites a healthy person. Rarely, it may be passed from mother to foetus, through organ donation, or through blood transfusions.
Why is the NS1 antigen test recommended rather than the dengue antibodies test?
Within the first week of dengue fever, the detection of Dengue NS1 antigen helps in the identification of the present infection. However, the presence of IgM antibodies suggests a past 2 to 3 months or ongoing infection. The diagnosis of an active infection, which is accomplished by Dengue-NS1, is important for the treatment of acute fever. It has been noted that detecting Dengue NS1 is far more accurate and quicker than Dengue IgM, ELISA test, which typically takes six to ten hours to get results
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