Heads up on Dengue test strips

[kemist]

A word from meh doctor padnah.. (he wasn't totally drunk when he tell meh this...)

Some private doctors are using dengue tests strips to make diagnosis.
THese dengue test strips are thought to be accurate, but only within the first 2 hrs (max) of observing symptoms. After that, they may give false readings.
So if you are not sure when your symptoms commenced, go get the proper tests done.

[vaio]

hmmmmm

[Falcon]

no one visits the doctor within 2 hours of symptoms. :(

[kemist]

^^^ Exactly Falcon. As it was explained to me, these strips are for home use only, in areas where dengue outbreak is high, so people can test themselves at the first signs of symptoms. and even tho they are supposed to be highly accurate, they are just a guide, not to be replaced by the standard test. I don't know if they are available in tdad pharmacies though.

[amzz]

Can you Id the any docs who are using the strips?

[kemist]

^ amzz, I'll have to ask. I had looked into this after one of my friends told me about it. She said the doc gave her a few test strips to check at home, every hour. The first few times, it had tested negative, but after about 10 hrs later, it tested positive. All i know so far is that the doc she went by is somewhere in Chaguanas/Enterprise side.

But for the usual dengue test, they have to draw blood from you & send it to a lab for analysis. (I'm not sure if all private docs are equipped to analyze the blood samples).

[amzz]

If the strips are being mis-used, then d docs need to be told.

[Falcon]

what's the test procedure with the strips kemist?

[kemist]

Falcon, from what I've been told, it is similar to the blood glucose monitor tests. Just requires a couple drops of blood, but the strips themselves act as the indicators. My friend was instructed to test every hour.

[AndreS]

http://www.rapidtest.com/Dengue%20IgG-IgM%20%28173106M-25%29-web.pdf
These or similar tests are being used in both public and private health care institutions. However, a doctors clinical judgment is important so have a consultation if you suspect you may have dengue. If you are having bleeding seek help urgently.