Dengue Test in Hyderabad: NS1 vs IgM/IgG — Which One Do You Need and When

It's the third day of high fever. There's a headache behind your eyes, your body aches, and someone in the family says the word "dengue." The next question is always the same: which test, and is it too early? Getting the timing right matters, because the wrong test on the wrong day can come back falsely negative and send you home reassured when you shouldn't be.

Here's how the three dengue tests actually work — and exactly when each one is worth doing.

What are NS1, IgM and IgG — in plain terms?

Dengue testing isn't one test. It's three, and they look for different things at different stages of the illness:

• NS1 antigen — detects a protein the dengue virus itself makes. It appears very early, so it's the day 1–5 test. A positive NS1 is a strong early confirmation.
• IgM antibody — the first antibody your immune system builds against dengue. It usually becomes detectable around day 4–5 and stays positive for weeks. This is the test for a fever that's already several days old.
• IgG antibody — appears later and can stay for months or years. On its own it often means a past infection, but a rising IgG in a current illness can signal a second, more serious dengue infection.

Which dengue test should I take, and on which day?

Match the test to how long you've had fever:

This is why Lotus offers a combined Dengue Panel rather than a single marker — in the real world you often don't know if you're on day 3 or day 5, and testing the right combination the first time saves a repeat visit.

Why the platelet count (CBC) matters just as much

Confirming dengue is only half the picture. The danger in dengue is a falling platelet count, which is tracked with a simple CBC (Complete Blood Count). Doctors often ask for the CBC to be repeated daily once dengue is confirmed, watching for a drop that needs medical attention. Because the CBC is a low-cost, fast test, daily home collection makes this genuinely manageable without hospital trips while you're weak with fever.

When should you actually get tested?

Book a dengue test if a fever above 100°F lasts more than a day and comes with any of these:

• Severe headache, especially pain behind the eyes
• Body and joint pain (dengue is nicknamed "breakbone fever" for a reason)
• Nausea, vomiting, or a skin rash appearing a few days in
• Extreme fatigue out of proportion to a normal viral fever

Warning signs that need immediate medical care — not just a test — include bleeding gums or nose, blood in vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, and restlessness. If any of these appear, go to a hospital rather than waiting for a report.

How to test for dengue at home in Nizampet

You shouldn't be travelling to a lab with a high fever. A Lotus phlebotomist comes to your home free of charge, collects the sample, and your report reaches your WhatsApp within 9 hours — processed at NABL Accredited Labs and reviewed by a pathologist. To book, message or call +91 80199 86555 and say which day of fever you're on; the team will advise NS1, IgM, or the full panel.

This article is general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. Reports are processed at NABL Accredited Labs. If you have severe symptoms, seek medical care immediately.