Is CBC Test Enough For Dengue?

Dengue fever is now highly prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions. With such advancing prevalence of the disease, its management diagnosis requires early detection. The initial laboratory tests that most physicians ask for a patient presenting with symptoms that may present like dengue include the complete blood count, or CBC. But is the CBC test for dengue commensurate to serve the purpose of proper diagnosis?

Understanding Dengue and its Symptoms

Infection of a human by one of the dengue viruses during the bite by an infected Aedes mosquito. The presentations and symptoms of dengue may vary from almost sub-clinical manifestations of mild flu to threatening potentially life-threatening conditions-for example, DHF and DSS. General presentations of dengue include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Joint and muscle pain
• Skin rashes
• Vomiting and nausea
• Fatigue and weakness

However, such nonspecific symptoms require laboratory diagnosis for confirmation of the presence of the virus and patient's condition.

Role of CBC in Dengue Diagnosis

Normally, a CBC test is the first line of investigation in a patient suspected of having dengue. It provides an exhaustive analysis of the blood component and may indicate potential complications.

1. Platelet Count: The reduction in the count of platelets is very significant in dengue. Where extreme levels of platelets will plummet down into the condition of bleeding. Platelet count has to be checked periodically in dengue patients by conducting CBC to evaluate the severity of the disease.
2. White Blood Cell (WBC) Count: Fever is generally accompanied by leukopenia, which is a low WBC count that substantially decreases the immunity of a body. This set of symptoms, with fever being at the forefront, can be one of the first signs of a viral infection like dengue.
3. Hematocrit Levels: Due to plasma leakage, hematocrit, which is the portion of red blood cells in the blood, increases measurably during dengue infection. This is especially observed with dengue hemorrhagic fever. On close monitoring of the complete blood count, such changes can be observed to be the earliest, thus initiating early intervention with medical attention.

Is CBC Test Enough for Dengue?

Although a CBC test is pretty useful in monitoring a number of parameters related to dengue, it can never be used as the sole tool for diagnosis. Since dengue is a viral infection, it is usually confirmed by specific viral tests. Among such tests that complement a CBC are:

• NS1 Antigen Test: It detects the very earliest stage of the dengue virus by detecting the non-structural protein 1. Such a test is pretty handy in the first couple of days of infection even before time for the body to produce antibodies.
• Dengue IgM/IgG Antibody Tests: prove the existence of the immune body response to the dengue infection by proving the existence of either IgM or IgG antibody. IgM is noted as early as on the fifth day of the illness, and IgG indicates late onset or secondary infection.
• PCR Test: This is the most sensitive test for the detection of dengue virus. In fact, the test detects the genetic material of the virus in the sample. The PCR test comes positive at an early stage of infection and has diagnostic nature.

Limitations of Relying Solely on CBC

A CBC in dengue is definitely helpful in tracking the course of the disease, but this will only be taken to missed or delayed diagnoses because the CBC does not prove the presence of the dengue virus. It just draws attention to changes in blood parameters during the infection. These changes occur in other viral infections; hence, CBC is an essential though nonspecific test for dengue.

More, a combination of CBC and specific tests against dengue disease is needed to establish an accurate diagnosis. This is because the earlier the diagnosis, the better to avoid complications in preventing the disease.

How Mahajan Imaging and Labs Can Help

Mahajan Imaging and Labs come with the precise diagnosis. Though we do not treat, we help with the diagnosis of dengue-like diseases by conducting advanced blood tests that include CBC. Our labs carry a modern facility which is able to conduct accurate CBC tests, integrated for monitoring the progression in dengue.

We also offer secondary diagnosis tests, which include dengue-specific antigen and antibody tests. These are highly relevant in testing the existence of the virus and ensuring that patients receive appropriate emergency care.

Conclusion

Thus, the test procedure for CBC dengue virus may be a part of it but cannot determine and prove its presence. The CBC can be done along with the monitoring of key indicators such as-platelet count, WBC count, and hematocrit levels-but dengue-specific tests such as NS1, IgM/IgG antibodies, PCR must be conducted to confirm it.

For the apprehensive patient, Mahajan Imaging and Labs have a range of diagnostic procedures to ensure that if there is dengue, it can be detected in time and diagnosed correctly. Remember, early detection is more about the avoidance of complications and disease control. You must not delay a visit to your doctor if you feel dengue has occurred. Confirm your condition through diagnostic tests.