Lab test · Infection
Dengue IgM and IgG Antibodies
Dengue infection (current or past)
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Dengue infection (current or past)
This test looks for two types of antibodies that the body makes against the dengue virus. IgM antibodies usually appear from about the fifth day of illness and suggest a recent infection, while IgG antibodies appear later and can stay for many years after a past infection. In a second dengue infection, IgG can rise early and quickly. The pattern helps your doctor tell whether you have a current, recent or past dengue infection.
Why a doctor may order it
- If you have had fever for about five days or more and dengue is suspected
- When an NS1 test was negative but dengue is still suspected
- To help tell a first dengue infection from a repeat infection
- To check whether a recent illness was dengue
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast, and you can eat and drink normally. Timing matters more than preparation: antibodies take several days to appear, so this test is most useful from about the fifth day of fever, as your doctor advises. Keep drinking plenty of fluids and continue any medicines your doctor has prescribed.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm without you having to leave home while unwell. The draw is over in a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A positive IgM suggests a current or recent dengue infection. A positive IgG with a negative IgM usually points to a past infection, while IgG that is positive early in the illness can suggest a repeat infection. A negative result early in the illness does not rule dengue out, as antibodies may not have formed yet. Your doctor will interpret the results with your symptoms, the day of illness and your blood count.
What's included
One test: Dengue IgM and IgG Antibodies, from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Dengue NS1 AntigenThe dengue NS1 test looks for NS1, a protein made by the dengue virus, in the blood.
- Platelet CountPlatelets are tiny cell fragments in the blood that help it clot and stop bleeding.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- Dengue Fever Test PackageThis package combines three blood tests used when dengue is suspected.
- Chikungunya IgM Antibody TestChikungunya is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread dengue.
- Kala-azar Test (rK39 Rapid Antibody Test)Kala-azar detection৳590
Questions people ask
When should the dengue antibody test be done?
It is most useful from about the fifth day of fever, when IgM antibodies usually become detectable. In the first few days, the NS1 test is more likely to detect dengue.
What does IgG positive and IgM negative mean?
This usually means you had dengue in the past and are not currently infected with it. Your doctor will consider your symptoms in case another illness is causing your fever.
Why does a second dengue infection matter?
There are four types of dengue virus. A later infection with a different type can carry a higher risk of severe dengue, so doctors watch repeat infections closely.
How much does a Dengue IgM/IgG test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳250, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Dengue IgM/IgG test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Dengue IgM/IgG report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.