When monsoon comes, it is a huge relief from the sweltering heat of the summers and people enjoy it every year. There is joy in the air with the rains. Yet, there is also a disadvantage to it, because the rains also bring with...
Introduction
When monsoon comes, it is a huge relief from the sweltering heat of the summers and people enjoy it every year. There is joy in the air with the rains. Yet, there is also a disadvantage to it, because the rains also bring with it several illnesses during the season. Our bodies need time to acclimatize to these climatic changes, and thereby we are exposed to these illnesses during the monsoon. We have to be very careful about this as we remain susceptible to illnesses during this time of the year.
The season is fraught with diseases like dengue, malaria, typhoid, and other infections which are mainly water-borne. These conditions, although regarded as normal during this time, could be life-threatening if not attended properly.
Hence, routine checkup like a fever profile test is essential during the monsoon.
Understanding a fever test
What exactly is a fever profile test?
It is a test ordered when a person is suffering from a persistent fever, unabated for the past several days. It refers to a series of blood works conducted to detect the underlying cause of the fever along with other common symptoms.
The fever profile test is done with a series of blood and urine samples to diagnose what could be the reasons for the fever. The doctors want to ascertain whether it is malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, typhoid, or any UTI (urinary tract infections). It is also conducted when a person has symptoms like headache, chills, dizziness, and sore eyes, along with a constant fever lasting for the past few days. The findings of this fever profile test assist the physician to come up with an accurate treatment plan including medications and other necessary steps to thwart the further progress of the ailment.
Looking at the purpose of a Fever Test
There are many reasons why a fever profile test is ordered by a physician. The main aim is to detect the root cause of the persistent fever a person is suffering from. A fever profile test is a comprehensive diagnostic test. It provides results that pinpoint the actual reason for the fever or the ailment causing the fever.
So, a doctor may advise a patient to undergo a fever test because it is helpful in any of the following situations:
A fever test helps in diagnosing diseases like malaria, typhoid, or dengue.
It helps in the early detection of any fever, which results in quick treatment and recovery starts.
It is ordered when a person is grappling with chronic low-grade fever.
It is done when a person has symptoms of typhoid fever including headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weakness in the muscle, weight loss, or rashes in the skin.
It may also be advised when a person has a fever associated with symptoms of malaria such as shaking chills, headaches, etc.
When should you go for a fever test?
If you suffering from continuous fever for the past few days and have had the following symptoms for more than two days like severe body pain, diarrhea, vomiting, drop in appetite, acute headache, etc., then you should consult your doctor who will advise you to take a fever test immediately.
How to prepare for the fever test?
There are no strict protocols to undergo a fever profile test apart from taking care of a few basic steps. There is no particular routine preparation also for this test.
But, following a few basic steps can ensure accurate and reliable results from this test.
Divulging details about any medication: If you are taking any medicine at present or in the recent past, it is important to inform your doctor without fail. Some medicines may have an impact and alter the outcomes of a fever panel test. Hence, if you disclose the medicine beforehand, it will greatly help the doctor to interpret the results correctly.
Fasting: In certain cases, a physician may likely ask the person not to eat anything before the test. The person can drink water but should abstain from eating any food or drinking any beverages for a period of eight to 10 hours before the fever test. It is beneficial for deriving accurate results of certain markers in the blood.
Staying hydrated: Even though fasting is recommended, one should replenish with a sufficient amount of water before the test. It will protect the person from dehydration. It will help the body to function at an optimal level during the test.
But, it should be only water, because other beverages could interfere and jeopardize the results.
Different tests involved
What are the different tests included in a fever profile examination?
A fever profile test usually has more than one specific test.
Following is the list of blood tests a doctor wants to examine in a fever panel:
- Full hemogram (CBC, ESR),
- Dengue Antigen NS1, dengue IgG & IgM
- Peripheral smear for malaria
- Typhoid Dot IgM
- Urine routine examination
- Aerobic Blood Culture
- SGPT
For the test, the technician draws about 4 ml of blood sample and 3 ml of blood serum through a needle in the veins. It requires about 10 ml of spot urine, which is collected in a container.
Fever test package
If you want to know about the cost of a fever test or a fever test package, talk to your doctor or the facility where you intend to do the test. Certain facilities may offer discounted rates and hence the fever test package may vary. Also, get in touch with your insurance provider to find out if your plan covers the fever test package.
Conclusion
Since a fever profile test comprises a slew of tests, one cannot expect a single result. Each test of the fever panel examination has different parameters, which the doctor has to understand and evaluate accordingly.
A few of the interpretations may include:
When there is a high neutrophil count it generally means there is some bacterial infection.
A high lymphocyte count may be an indication of any viral infection.
A positive Widal test will mean a confirmed typhoid fever.
When there is any presence of a malarial parasite on the peripheral smear, it is diagnosed as a malaria infection.
The routine urine test through microscopic analysis will confirm whether the fever is caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) or not.
FAQs
Is the fever test risky?
No, the fever test is safe and there are no side effects from this examination.
How and when do I decide to go for a Fever profile test?
One should consider taking a fever profile test when they have continuous fever for more than two days and have symptoms like chills along with vomiting or diarrhea and headache.
What Is A Widal Blood Test?
This is a serological blood test used to analyze typhoid fever. A widal test particularly helps in identifying there are any antibodies present against the bacteria responsible for the typhoid fever in the patient’s blood.
Is it necessary to test urine samples during a fever?
Yes, it is necessary, because urine testing may offer some extra valuable information for diagnosis and treatment of the fever. It will eventually add to the analysis for better treatment outcomes.
Can a person book a Fever test at home?
Yes, it can be done. It is important to note that the fever profile test is easy and free from any complications. Hence, anyone can book a slot as per the tests required. After booking the test, a trained phlebotomist will visit the home of the person to collect blood and urine samples for analysis. He or she will also monitor the temperature. The collected blood samples will be taken to the lab for detailed analysis and subsequently, the reports will be dispatched via courier, mail, or WhatsApp. After that, the individual may contact a doctor if the report has any concerning results.
