Early detection can help prevent dengue complications

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 10,383 dengue cases were admitted to different sentinel hospitals nationwide from Jan. 1 to June 20 this year, according to the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health.

This is 45.3 percent lower compared to the same period last year. Of the cases, there were 104 deaths, giving a case fatality ratio of one percent.

Most of the cases were from the National Capital Region and Regions 4-A, 5 and 6.

It is estimated that each year, 100 million people around the world become infected with dengue virus.

Majority of the deaths resulted from dengue complications such as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS).

People who develop DHF have a 95-percent chance of survival but if they go on to develop DSS, then the death rate can rise to as high as 40 percent.

There is no available vaccine at present and there is no real treatment for dengue fever. However, if detected early it can be effectively treated by fluid replacement therapy.

Early dengue detection is now made available by the Bio-Rad Dengue NS1 Antigen test. This is a blood test based on specific detection of dengue virus antigen as early as the first day of fever and up to day 5 of fever. 

This rapid test, with results in just a few minutes, can detect all the four serotypes of the dengue virus. Previously, medical doctors would diagnose dengue based on a patient’s clinical symptoms, a drop on the platelet count, and an antibody test. But all of these tests indicate late stage of the disease, normally from four days of fever onwards.

Since its introduction in late 2007, the Bio-Rad Dengue NS1 Antigen test has been helping doctors diagnose their patients earlier, enabling them to improve patient management, thus reducing death rate associated with dengue.

Now that dengue cases are again on the rise, it is important to seek early medical consultation to prevent dengue complications. Remember that dengue can now be diagnosed as early as on the first day of fever before severe complications arise.

For more information on the Bio-Rad Dengue NS1 Antigen Strip, ask a doctor or call Lifeline Diagnostics at (02) 376-5917 or 0920-9267671.