A complete blood count (CBC) test is used in dengue fever diagnosis to help assess the severity of the infection and monitor for complications. While not a direct test for the dengue virus itself, it reveals important information about the patient's blood, particularly their platelet count and hemoglobin levels.
What a CBC test shows in Dengue:
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Low Platelet Count (Thrombocytopenia): A decrease in platelets is a hallmark of dengue fever, often appearing in the later stages of the illness. Low platelet counts increase the risk of bleeding. The CBC helps monitor this crucial aspect. (Complete Blood Count (CBC): The complete blood count test is employed to assess various components of the blood. One crucial aspect is the platelet count, which tends to decrease during the later stages of dengue fever. Monitoring platelet levels is essential as low platelet count can lead to bleeding complications.)
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Decreased Hemoglobin: Dengue can sometimes lead to a decrease in hemoglobin, indicating anemia. A CBC will identify this. (Complete blood count (CBC)—to look for low platelet count typical of the later stages of the illness and to detect the decrease in hemoglobin, ...)
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Early Prognostic Indicator: The CBC can even be used as an early indicator of the potential prognosis of dengue fever, even in areas lacking sophisticated diagnostic tools. (The complete blood count can function as an early indicator of prognosis in dengue fever even in areas where sophisticated biomedical…)
Important Note: A CBC test alone does not diagnose dengue. It is crucial to combine CBC results with other dengue-specific tests, such as NS1 antigen or IgM antibody tests, for accurate diagnosis. The CDC recommends using NS1 ELISA and IgM tests or NAAT and IgM tests for acute dengue diagnosis. (For acute dengue diagnosis, clinicians should order NS1 ELISA and IgM tests or NAAT and IgM tests. If dengue is suspected, clinicians should…)
The CBC provides valuable supplementary information that helps clinicians assess the patient’s condition and guide treatment.
