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What is the Chikungunya Test?
Chikungunya Test is a serological blood test to diagnose chikungunya infection. Chikungunya virus infection or chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans through infected Aedes mosquitoes. Infected individuals can develop fever, joint pain, and fatigue. In such cases, getting an early Chikungunya Test can help diagnose and curb the risk of local transmission.
The Chikungunya Test works by detecting the anti-chikungunya (IgG and IgM) in your blood. IgG and IgM antibodies produced by the body’s immune system fight off chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection. The presence of anti-Chikungunya antibodies can indicate a current or recent infection.
What is the Chikungunya Test used for?
The Chikungunya Test helps diagnose chikungunya virus infection or chikungunya fever. It uses serological blood tests such as Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbent-Assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of anti-chikungunya antibodies in your blood. Serological blood testing can also help limit the spread of local infection.
Understanding the test results of the Chikungunya Test
To diagnose Chikungunya in an individual; blood testing is done < 6 days from the onset of illness.Â
|
Component |
Range |
Interpretation and comment |
|
Chikungunya IgG antibody |
In the range between 0.80 to 1.09 |
May indicate the presence of anti-Chikungunya antibody (IgG). Repeat testing within 1-2 weeks required. |
|
Greater or equal to 1.10Â |
Definite indication for the presence of anti- chikungunya IgG antibody; suggests recent or past infection |
|
|
Chikungunya IgM antibody |
In the range between 0.80 to 1.09 |
Possible presence of Chikungunya IgM antibody. To confirm the diagnosis, a repeat testing in 6-10 days is often advised |
|
Greater or equal to 1.09 |
Definite indication for the presence of chikungunya IgM antibody; suggests recent or past infection. |
It is advised not to use the above interpretation for patient treatment. Occasionally, a PCR test may be required to make confirmatory decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do I need the Chikungunya Test?
Chikungunya is easily transmissible and may spread into a contagious epidemic if it is not controlled. Detecting the virus at an early stage and taking the necessary precautions to ensure that it does not spread is therefore essential.
What happens during the Chikungunya Test?
A nurse/doctor draws a blood sample from a vein, usually in the arm, collected in a vial or syringe tube. The Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay analyses the blood sample to detect the presence of anti-chikungunya antibodies.
What are the 3 symptoms of chikungunya fever?
Symptoms of Chikungunya usually tend to appear after a week of infection. Individuals with underlying health complications and illnesses may experience varied symptoms and severity.
However, some common symptoms of chikungunya infection include,
- Prolonged muscle pain and fatigue
- High-grade fever (typically above 102 degrees F)
- Severe joint pain
Other less common symptoms include,
- Swelling of joints
- Headaches
- Eye problems
Is fasting required for the chikungunya test?
You do not need any special preparations or fasting for the chikungunya test. Doctors may recommend you to follow some instructions as they might affect your test results:
- Avoid taking certain medications or supplements
- Avoid smoking before the test
- Make sure not to eat 2 hours before the test
- Stay hydrated
How long will the Chikungunya test last?
Patients can get their test results within 30 minutes, depending on the laboratory.Â
Additional tests such as RT-PCR-based testing may take 1-3 days depending on the collection and analysis of the sample in the laboratory.
Is there a blood test for chikungunya?
Yes, serological blood tests detect Chikungunya. The presence of anti-chikungunya antibodies such as IgG and IgM indicate possible exposure to chikungunya viral infection.
Does platelet count decrease in chikungunya?
Like many other viral infections, chikungunya infection may also affect your platelet production. Platelet levels may drop below 20,000 per microliter of blood. This can lead to serious bleeding and other health complications. In such cases, your doctor may recommend medications such as dexamethasone or prednisone to boost your platelet count.
Are there any risks associated with the test?
It is very rare for a Chikungunya blood test to result in serious side effects or health complications; however, there is a very small possibility of risks arising.Â
This includes
- Skin bruising at the site of blood drawn
- Fainting or dizziness during tests
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References:
https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/chikungunya/chikungunya-test-and-diagnosis-everything-you-need-to-know-b0916-433560/
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/hc/clinicalevaluation.html
https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/64173#Clinical-and-Interp
https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/hc/diagnostic.html
https://www.portea.com/labs/diagnostic-tests/chikungunya-chikv-50/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306828
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