Dengue Fever NS1 Antigen Test - EIA (Dengue Test)

Dengue fever NS1 antigen test

This is a simple test which is used to detect non-structural protein NS1 of dengue virus in your blood. Dengue is a viral infection which spreads due to bite of infected aedes aegypti mosquito. This infection is common in certain areas and may cause severe morbidity and even mortality.

Dengue infection may present with no symptoms to mild illness or severe disease. Mild dengue infection may present after 4 to 10 Days of infected mosquito bite and presents as:

• High grade fever(104 F)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscle and bone pain
• Rashes
• Eye pain

The mild infection recovers in about 7 to 10 Days. However, disease can worsen and can even lead to death. The severe form of dengue is also called dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome. This severe dengue infection presents as:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Excessive vomiting
• Nose and gum bleeding
• Blood in urine ,stools or vomit
• Bleeding under skin causing bruises
• Excessive tiredness
• Restlessness
• Difficulty in breathing

Dengue infection can be avoided by preventing mosquito bites and controlling mosquito breeding. The following steps may help to prevent mosquito bites:

• Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants or trousers, socks and shoes.
• Use mosquito repellent containing permethrin, DEET etc.
• Avoid stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
• Stay in well-screened place to prevent entry of mosquitoes

Why is dengue fever NS1 antigen test prescribed?

Dengue fever NS1 antigen test helps in early diagnosis of dengue infection so that prompt treatment can be given, and life-threatening complications are avoided.

Your health care provider may advise NS1 antigen test to detect presence of NS1 of dengue virus for the diagnosis. This NS1 protein is secreted into your blood during early phase of dengue viral infection. This test is recommended during first 7 Days of symptoms. This test is done usually along with IgM& IgG antibody test. This test helps to diagnose recent or current infection. The method used to detect NS1 antigen is called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

Procedure and prerequisites

Blood sample for NS1 antigen test is taken by inserting a small needle into vein of your arm. A small amount of blood is then collected in a test tube or vial. No preparation is needed for this test./p>

Reference range

The lab result can be positive (presence of NS1antigen) or negative (absence of NS1antigen)