If you show some symptoms of the fever and if you have been in an area where the virus is common, you may need to be tested for the dengue virus12
Thus, your health care provider may ask you about your symptoms, your recent travels and, if he suspects you have been infected, he may ask you to take a blood test to check for the dengue virus.12
There are two main blood tests for dengue fever:
- Antibody test: This test detects the presence of proteins called antibodies in your blood, which are produced by your immune system to fight against viruses and other germs. Your body needs time to produce specific antibodies against dengue, so these tests are more accurate when conducted at least 4 days after the onset of symptoms12.
- Molecular test: This test searches for specific genetic material from the dengue virus within your blood sample. These tests can be done within the first 7 days after the onset of symptoms. Molecular tests performed beyond this time frame may not provide accurate results12.
Treatments for dengue
There is no specific treatment for dengue, but it is possible to treat the pain symptoms.2 If you have mild symptoms, as most cases of dengue, you usually can be treated at home. Severe dengue often requires hospitalization2.
If you think you have dengue:
Get as much rest as you can2,13
Drink plenty of clean water.2 Prevent dehydration, which can occur when a person loses a lot of fluids, for example, due to high fever, vomiting, or poor oral intake.13
Seek advice from your doctor immediately if you notice any severe symptoms.2
Watch for warning signs once the temperature declines, typically around 3-7 days after the onset of symptoms.13
