An exclusive survey by Google Trends shows that searches for “dengue” have increased, with residents of Santa Catarina being one of the top stakeholders in the country. With the increase in cases no data+ talked to an infectious disease specialist to explain how a test is done to detect the disease.

The infectologist says that the test for dengue fever can be direct, indirect and non-specific. Photo: André Borges/Agência Brasil/Disclosure/ND

According to the infectious disease specialist Martoni Moura e Silva, the disease “has a dynamic evolution and it requires quality care and great attention, mainly for the use of examination tools.”

What are the most common tests?

According to the infectious disease specialist, in clinical practice it is possible to use Rapid NS1 antigen test be diagnosed before the 5th day from the onset of symptoms.

ABOUT Quick test This is done by collecting blood and is ready in a few hours. ABOUT NS1 antigen detected in samples from patients infected with primary and secondary dengue fever between 1 and 9 days after the onset of the disease.

However, from the 6th day of symptoms, it is recommended to use Serological tests for IgG and IgM (immunoglobulins). Like the rapid test, they are also tested by collecting blood.

You IgM antibodies they form about 6 to 10 days after infection, so this serology is more commonly done to diagnose dengue fever. already IgG antibody it is produced at the end of dengue fever and remains in the body for several months.

“I draw your attention to the fact that, as in any healthcare, it is necessary to collect anamnesis very accurately so as not to conduct examinations at the wrong time and have results. false negative resultswhich would jeopardize the patient’s treatment,” Silva repeats.

“Since the dengue virus has 4 serotypes, we can also isolate the virus to identify its sublineage. But this is only for research purposes and / or in the early stages of epidemics. Non-specific additional studies serve to confirm the diagnosis and assess the evolution of the patient,” he says.

Where can I take the test?

According to the SES (Minister of Health), laboratory tests are available at health posts and hospitals, and municipalities are required to offer rapid tests to the public.

On average, it takes 3 days from the moment of collection to receive the result, the SES notes. The municipalities collect and send it to Lasen (Santa Catarina Central Public Health Laboratory) for analysis.

“We have decentralized labs in the state. The result is available to the municipality and it is their responsibility to keep the patient informed, ensuring that in this way the patient is already receiving advice on the care they should receive,” concludes the folder.