Dengue NS1 Test - Price, Purpose, Procedure | Book Online

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Introduction to Dengue NS1 Test

According to the WHO, almost half the world’s population is at risk of dengue infection. Dengue, also known as break bone fever, is a viral infection that the Aedes mosquito spreads. It can be fatal if it’s not taken care of. People living in areas with pooled water have very high chances of getting infected. Before, dengue infections were mostly seen in tropical and subtropical regions, but they have become prevalent worldwide as time has passed. The dengue cases have become so prominent that, every year, there are about 300 million dengue cases worldwide.

The Dengue infection spreads from mosquitoes to humans; it is not contagious, so you’re not at risk of getting it from other people. It is spread when the virus-containing mosquito bites your body. Dengue does not have many symptoms, so it makes it difficult to diagnose. If you think there is a chance you have contracted the infection somewhere, you can take the Dengue NS1 Antigen Test. The test will diagnose or rule out the condition, and you can proceed according to the results. 

The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better the chances of controlling it. If your doctor has suggested or you have been experiencing any symptoms of the dengue infection, book your NS1 test at Redcliffe Labs. You can collect your blood sample hassle-free from the comfort of your home.

Dengue NS1 Test Details:

Symptoms that may prompt the NS1 antigen test:

The NS1 blood test determines whether or not you are infected with the dengue virus. Dengue does not show many symptoms; most start showing after 4–10 days of the infection. The symptoms to look out for if you think you have dengue are:

• Fever around 40°C/104°F.
• Severe pain behind your eyes.
• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Skin Rashes
• Swollen glands.

A severe dengue infection shows the following symptoms:

• Pain in the joints
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the abdominal area
• Blood in the stool
• Bleeding gums and nose
• Breathing issues

Research shows that 1 out of 20 infected people has a severe dengue infection. It is important for the person experiencing severe conditions to consult a doctor and be under their care.

How do I diagnose dengue infection?

If you suspect you may have been infected with the dengue virus, you must take the NS1 test. It is the ELISA method of antigen and antibody detection. A positive NS1 antigen test means the dengue virus is in your blood. 

What is the purpose of the NS1 antigen test?

Early Diagnosis: 

Taking the NS1 test helps diagnose the infection early on so that it can be controlled and treated accordingly.

Severity:

It helps you understand if the dengue infection is severe or not. If the condition is severe, it requires doctor intervention, and this test helps understand the situation better.

Medical Support:

There is no particular treatment for the condition; however, severe dengue requires a doctor's assistance, so taking the NS1 antigen test helps understand the situation and allows the doctors to decide how to proceed with the condition.

This is why one should always consult their healthcare provider if they see any of the above-mentioned dengue symptoms.

What preparations are required before the NS1 blood test?

There is no special set of rules that are to be followed before taking the NS1 antigen test. However, these are some basic guidelines to be followed:

• You are not required to fast before taking the NS1 test, but if your health requires it, talk to your physician about any special dietary requirements.
• If you are pregnant or have been taking any sort of medication or supplement, It is important to inform your doctor about that as well. You do not need to panic in such situations; if they think there is an issue, they will tell you about the solution as well. 
• It is a blood test, so it is always recommended to avoid any heaving workouts before taking the test.
• It is advised not to smoke or drink alcohol before taking the test because it may alter the test results.

If you follow these basic guidelines before taking the test and keep your physician in the loop, you are ready.

What is the procedure for the NS1 antigen ELISA test?

This NS1 test is like any other blood test, so the procedure followed is the same.

• The phlebotomist, on arrival, ties a band around your arm.
• They tell you to make a fist so the veins are properly visible.
• They disinfect the area from which the blood is to be drawn.
• Then, a thin, sterile needle is inserted into the vein to draw blood, and after removing the needle, a bandage is put on the punctured area.
• After drawing the blood, they put it in a vial, seal it, and label it.
• This vial is then taken to the laboratory to get tested.

Remember that the punctured area may have a stinging sensation for around two days. If it lasts more than two days or the pain is significantly severe, you shall consult a doctor.

Tips to avoid dengue infection:

Dengue-causing mosquitoes are active during the day. This is why it is always advisable to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible during the day. These are a few ways in which you may prevent the risk of getting infected by the dengue virus:

1. Try wearing clothes that cover your body during the daytime.
2. Regularly use mosquito repellents. 
3. If you plan on sleeping during the day, use mosquito nets and spray insect repellent in the room.
4. Use window screens to make sure mosquitoes do not enter your house.
5. Use mosquito coils and liquids.

If you follow these recommendations, you may be able to avoid the Aedes mosquitoes as much as possible.

Risk Factors for Dengue:

There are certain risk factors to look out for that increase your chances of getting infected with dengue.

• Living or traveling to a tropical or subtropical area increases one's risk of exposure to the virus that causes dengue fever. 
• If you have had dengue in the past, it increases your risk of developing severe symptoms and might get you dengue fever again. 
• Pre-existing conditions like obesity, hypertension, and asthma contribute to getting severe dengue due to stronger body immune responses. People with these conditions are often diagnosed with poorer prognosis.
• Additionally, if the test is performed too early or late in the infection, the antigen levels may not be detected, resulting in false negatives. On the other hand, if the test reacts with other viruses, such as the Zika virus or West Nile, it can show false positive results (incorrect results).

You must be cautious of your surroundings if you don't want to be infected with the dengue virus.

What if the NS1 test reports are positive?

If you have tested positive for dengue, you can follow the steps mentioned below, that will help you recover faster

• Take proper rest.
• Watch out for any severe symptoms; if there are any, you must contact your doctor as soon as possible.
• Drink plenty of water and fluids.
• With your doctor’s suggestion, you may even take paracetamol for pain relief.

What do the Dengue NS1 test results indicate?

The dengue NS1 antigen test helps in the early detection of dengue virus infection. 

Positive NS1 test result: If your dengue NS1 test results are positive, it indicates an acute dengue infection. 

The Dengue NS1 Antigen Test helps detect dengue virus infection in the early stages (first seven days of illness). However, the information is not serotype.

The positive result indicates that the dengue infection is present in the bloodstream. Nonetheless, additional antibody tests, such as IgM and IgG, or nucleic acid amplification tests, like RT-PCR, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. 

If both the test results are negative, a healthcare provider is likely to suggest more testing for IgM to rule out the infection. 

Negative NSI test result: if your dengue NS1 test results are negative, it does not rule out a dengue virus infection. 

A doctor will likely suggest IgM and IgG antibody tests after a few days. These tests help detect how your body’s immune system responds to dengue.

Other viral infections such as Covid-19, Chikungunya, and Malaria can cause similar symptoms.

Note: The best time to do the NS1 test is within 1-5 days of dengue fever symptoms. After 7 days, dengue antibodies IgM and IgG are more useful for diagnosis. 

What are the risks associated with a dengue NS1 test?

The dengue NS1 test is simple and involves minimal risk. Some possible risks associated with the test include mild pain or discomfort at the injection site. You may also get bruises or swelling and feel dizzy or lightheaded after the blood draw. However, these symptoms are temporary and go away quickly. 

Although rare, improper hygiene can also lead to an infection. Seek medical attention immediately.

Is dengue NS1 serious?

Yes, dengue NS1 can be severe. The NS1 antigen positivity increases the risk of developing severe dengue, particularly beyond day 5 of illness. The seriousness of positive dengue NS1 depends on several factors: 

1. Mild symptoms associated with virus infection include fever, body aches, headaches, and rash. These symptoms are manageable with hydration and proper rest. 

2. Conversely, if you do not take the doctor’s guidance seriously and fail to manage your symptoms, dengue can progress to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). 

3. Three out of four people do not show any symptoms of dengue infection and recover in about a week. While those who get sick might also face these warning signs associated with severe dengue, including: 

• Persistent vomiting
• Bleeding gums/nose
• Rapid drop in platelet count
• Presence of blood in your pee or stools. 
• Lethargy or restlessness
• Petechiae ( red spots or bigger purple spots on your skin.) 
• Liver enlargement more than 2 cm. 
• Mucosal bleeding including gingival, gastrointestinal bleeding, and menorrhagia. 
• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Go into shock and even die. 

4. If your platelet count falls below 20,000, you may need to be hospitalized. 

Final Verdict: A positive dengue NS1 confirms early infection but doesn’t mean a severe case. Close monitoring and timely medical care are crucial for improved disease management and preventing complications. 

Connection between platelet count and dengue severity

Platelets are blood cells, shaped like small plates in their non-active form. 

The normal platelet count in healthy adults ranges between 150,000 and 450,000 per microliter. If your platelet count is less than 150,000, this indicates lower-than-normal platelets, which is known as thrombocytopenia. On the other hand, having more than 450 000 indicates higher-than-normal platelets, which is known as thrombocytosis. 

When infected with the dengue virus, your platelet levels can exceed 100,000. You might see a critically low platelet count of about 20 000 or20,000 

A routine blood test called complete blood count can help you and your doctor learn about your platelet number. 

The connection between platelets and the Dengue NS1 antigen depends on how the dengue virus affects the immune response of your body and blood components. 

Platelets (thrombocytes) are small blood cells that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding. When you have dengue:

• The dengue virus and NS1 antigen directly affect the bone marrow, causing bone marrow suppression. Further, having bone marrow suppression can cause a drop in platelet count. 
• Immune thrombocytopenia occurs when your immune system makes a mistake, attacks and destroys platelets. 
• The NS1 antigen causes inflammation, resulting in increased destruction of platelets. 
• Immune activation accelerates platelet destruction in the spleen. 
• In mild dengue, platelet counts remain slightly reduced (100,000-150,000 per microliter). However, in severe dengue-indicating conditions like dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, platelets drop below 50,000 per microliter, which can increase the risk of bleeding. 
• The NS1 positivity alone cannot determine platelet count. Hence, a separate CBC test is needed to monitor platelet levels. 
• Platelets below 20,000 may require hospitalization. During this condition, you may even bleed more when you are not injured, and your healthcare provider may also suggest platelet transfusion until your count returns to normal. 

Note: The NS1 doesn’t directly destroy platelets. They cause a decrease in platelet count. Its presence indicates an active dengue infection. Early detection of NS1 and regular monitoring can help manage dengue effectively. 

NS1 Antigen Test Cost at Redcliffe Labs:

The NS1 test cost at Redcliffe Labs is INR 540; this price may vary from lab to lab. You can get samples collected from the comfort of your home. If your doctor has suggested that you get tested, it is recommended that you do not delay taking the test.

Dengue NS1 Antigen Test Cost in Different Cities - Redcliffe Labs

Note: We also offer Dengue ns1 Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of services in your area