What Do The Positive Results of Dengue IgM Mean?

Dengue is an infected disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause dengue hemorrhagic fever and other serious medical conditions. Dengue shock syndrome is another infectious disease. If you feel severe headache, joint or muscle pain, loss of appetite, or difficulty breathing, you should take the dengue IgM test. 

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), around 390 million people are affected by dengue globally every year. This high rise makes testing important. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports dengue infection in more than 100 countries, including America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, and the Western Pacific.

Reports suggest that 75% of cases are asymptomatic (with no symptoms). A dengue IgM test can check for dengue antibodies in the blood for better prevention and management. What if the reports are positive? What does the ‘dengue IgM Positive mean’? Let’s understand. 

Understanding Dengue Tests 

Dengue is a severe health condition that can damage organs. Only early diagnosis and detection can prevent the risks. A doctor can prescribe certain tests to detect the presence of dengue antibodies. Dengue IgM is one of them. It is a rapid diagnostic test that looks against dengue infection to check recent dengue exposure. 

Redcliffe Labs is India’s trusted diagnostic lab. They offer several tests for diagnosing dengue. These include: 

1. Dengue NS1 Antigen Test 
2. Dengue IgM Antibody Test 
3. Dengue RNA PCR Test 
4. Dengue IgG Antibody Test 
5. Dengue Duo Screening Test 

They provide dengue tests at an affordable cost and make them accessible to every Indian with a home sample collection service. We believe that quality diagnosis is the right of every Indian. 

Also, read https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/fever/dengue-fever-diet-what-to-eat-and-what-to-avoid/ 

What is a Dengue IgM Test? 

Doctors recommend the dengue IgM test to people who experience symptoms of dengue fever. Some people might not even experience symptoms, making the dengue IgM test crucial. 

Symptoms of dengue can resemble those of malaria, where a diagnostic test can help determine the infection. 

CDC classifies serology for dengue virus-specific IgM antibodies, which can confirm mild or severe diagnosis. 

Dengue IgM antibodies are produced in 2-4 weeks. A dengue IgM positive means the presence of dengue antibodies in the blood. 

The dengue IgM negative means IgM antibodies may indicate that a person has no signs of dengue fever, and the antibody level is severely low to detect. 

Is Dengue IgM Positive Dangerous? 

A positive dengue IgM indicates a past or current dengue infection, but it is not dangerous. The normal platelet count is 1.5 to 4 lacs, which generally drops to 20,000 to 40,000 in a dengue patient. 

This sharp drop can be caused by damage to bone marrow, the production of platelet-dropping antibodies, or the presence of dengue virus in the blood and platelets. 

The dengue IgM antibodies stay positive for about 12 weeks. During this time, the antibodies in the immune system fight against the illness. 

Also, read: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/lifestyle/15-effective-home-remedies-for-dengue/ 

What are the Signs of Dengue IgM Positive? 

A dengue IgM positive means a current infection of dengue antibodies. However, your doctor may suggest some other tests to detect the presence of dengue. A positive dengue IgM test shows several symptoms in people, which prevails for around 4-10 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. 

1. Eye pain
2. High fever
3. Pain behind the eyes
4. Muscle, bone, or joint pain
5. Nausea 
6. Vomiting 
7. Swollen glands 
8. Rashes 
9. Severe headaches 
10. Weakness 
11. Difficulty breathing
12. Dizziness and lightheadedness 

What Factors Can Affect the Dengue IgM Test Accuracy? 

The Dengue IgM test presents reports on the presence of dengue antibodies. Redcliffe Labs is India's leading diagnostic service provider and believes in offering more than 3600 tests at an affordable price. They follow the Six Sigma process, ensuring they provide 100% accurate test reports. No major factor affects the IgM test results. However, some factors can. These are: 

1. Test conducting time
2. Age or gender
3. Headaches or fever
4. They kind of dengue virus 
5. Last drawn vaccine
6. Past infection
7. Your immune system’s ability to fight infection
8. Any past medical history

What Factors Make the Dengue IgM Test Important? 

A dengue IgM test can monitor underlying or physical symptoms and allow you to take preventive steps for its efficiency. The test is important for numerous reasons. 

1. The test can help in the early location of dengue fever. 
2. The tests can help with timely management and treatment. 
3. The test can help distinguish between dengue diseases and other symptoms. 
4. The test helps doctors provide a specific treatment after examining medical or family history or symptoms. 
5. The test helps you know the correct preventive steps. 
6. The test can help you prevent the spread of dengue fever. 

Key Takeaways 

Dengue is an infected disease but not as dangerous as it appears. The dengue IgM test can help you gather information about your health. You should understand that dengue IgM antibody results are important for the right and timely management of disease. 

The Dengue IgM test results can be either positive or negative. A positive dengue IgM test means the presence of a dengue infection; however, this is not always the case. Your doctor might recommend taking other tests for confirmation. With timely testing, effective management, and prevention, you can deal with the health complications related to dengue fever.