Sometimes diagnosis of dengue gets delayed due to its symptoms are similar with other diseases like malaria, typhoid fever.
To confirm the diagnosis, Doctors give some tests to do like Dengue IgG & IgM, Dengue NS1, Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test.
Dengue IgG & IgM tests are primarily used to help diagnose a current or recent dengue infection. They detect two different classes of antibodies produced by the body in response to a dengue fever infection, IgG and IgM. Diagnosis may require a combination of these tests because the body’s immune system produces varying levels of antibodies over the course of the illness.
IgM antibodies are produced first and tests for these are most effective when performed at least 7-10 days after exposure. Levels in the blood rise for a few weeks, then gradually decrease. After a few months, IgM antibodies fall below detectable levels.
IgG antibodies are produced more slowly in response to an infection. Typically, the level rises with an acute infection, stabilizes, and then persists long-term. Individuals who have been exposed to the virus prior to the current infection maintain a level of IgG antibodies in the blood that can affect the interpretation of diagnostic results.