Before anything else: if the patient has any of the warning signs listed further down, skip the lab and go straight to a hospital emergency department.
To book or ask which test fits your fever day, call 8872524007.
What the Dengue test checks
The dengue test panel has three parts:
- NS1 antigen, a viral protein, detectable from day 1 and most reliable in roughly the first five days.
- IgM antibody, the early response, appearing around day 4 or 5 and lasting a few months.
- IgG antibody, which rises after the first week in a first infection, but early and high in a second one.
Doctors usually add a CBC too, since falling platelets and a rising haematocrit are watched day by day.
Why your doctor may order it
Dengue spreads through the Aedes mosquito, which breeds in clean standing water such as coolers and uncovered tanks. Around Banur, Rajpura and the Mohali side, fever cases tend to climb through the monsoon and the weeks after it, roughly August to November.
Doctors order it for sudden high fever with severe body ache, pain behind the eyes, rash or falling platelets. Dengue, malaria and typhoid look alike early on, so many doctors ask for a Fever Profile that covers all three, or add a malaria test alongside.
Dengue warning signs: go to hospital first
They usually appear around day 3 to 7, often as the fever comes down. Don't wait for a report:
- Severe stomach pain or repeated vomiting
- Bleeding from the gums or nose, blood in vomit or black stools
- Unusual drowsiness, restlessness or confusion
- Fast breathing, cold clammy hands and feet
- Passing very little urine
How to prepare
No fasting. Eat, drink and keep up fluids. Tell us the day your fever started, since that decides between NS1, IgM/IgG or all three. Bring the doctor's slip and any earlier CBC reports. Not sure of the day count? Ring 8872524007 and we'll help you work it out.
Sample type and report time
One blood draw from the arm into a plain or gel tube for serum, plus a purple-top EDTA tube if a CBC is ordered. Reports are usually ready the same day if the sample reaches us by about 11 am, as a printed copy and a PDF on WhatsApp.
Understanding your results
- NS1 positive in the first few days points towards a current dengue infection.
- IgM positive suggests a recent infection, generally from the second half of the first week onwards.
- IgG positive with IgM negative can mean a past infection months or years ago.
- IgG and IgM both positive may fit a recent infection, sometimes a second one.
A negative NS1 on day 6, or a negative IgM on day 2, doesn't rule dengue out. Your doctor reads the dengue result alongside your symptoms, the day of fever and your platelet trend, and may ask for a repeat.
FAQ
Which is better on day 2 of fever, the dengue NS1 test or the antibody test?
NS1. Antibodies usually haven't formed by day 2, so an IgM test done that early is often negative even in real dengue.
When should I do the dengue IgG IgM test?
From about day 5 of fever, especially if an earlier NS1 was negative and fever continues.
What is the dengue test price?
The dengue test price depends on whether you need NS1 alone, IgG/IgM, or the full combination, and whether it's part of a fever panel. Call or WhatsApp for the current price.
Is a dengue test near me in Banur available on Sundays?
If you're searching for a dengue test near me in Banur on a Sunday, the lab is open 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. Home collection in Banur and nearby villages runs daily.
Does a normal platelet count mean it isn't dengue?
No. Platelets often stay normal for the first two or three days and drop later, which is why doctors repeat the CBC.
Book at Alpha Laboratory
Walk in to Alpha Laboratory, Municipal Committee, M.C. Road, Banur, Monday to Saturday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. For a dengue test or a home visit, call 8872524007 or WhatsApp us. Directions are on our contact page.