Dengue Antibody, IgG, Rapid Detection Test
This rapid test detects IgG antibodies to the dengue virus, indicating a past or secondary dengue infection. A quick blood test that provides results within 24 hours.
- Home collection, free from AED 300
- Physician-reviewed report
24 hours
Turnaround
Blood
Sample
What the Dengue Antibody, IgG, Rapid Detection Test test tells you
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection found across much of Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Pacific, and cases are seen in the UAE in travellers returning from countries where it circulates. When the virus infects someone the immune system responds in stages, and it helps to know which stage each antibody belongs to. IgM is the early antibody: it appears within days, fades over the following months, and points to a recent or current infection. IgG is the late and durable part of the response: it appears afterwards, persists for years, and usually indicates past exposure or existing immunity. This test looks for IgG.
In a first dengue infection IgG appears roughly a week or more after symptoms begin and then stays, often for life. Its behaviour changes in a repeat infection with a different dengue serotype: the immune system recognises the viral family and produces IgG quickly, so a strong IgG early in the illness suggests a secondary infection rather than a first one. That distinction matters, because second infections carry a higher risk of the severe, plasma-leaking form of dengue.
Because IgG lingers indefinitely, a positive result on its own says that you have met dengue at some point, not that you have it now. It is read together with IgM and, where available, the NS1 antigen, and always against the timeline of your illness and where you have travelled. Your doctor interprets the pattern, not any single line on the test.
Dengue can become severe quickly, so this test is not a substitute for being seen. If you have a fever and have recently been somewhere dengue is common, arrange medical assessment rather than booking a test and waiting for a report. Get emergency care immediately for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from the gums or nose, blood in vomit or stool, or extreme lethargy or restlessness. These warning signs typically appear as the fever settles, which is exactly when people assume they are recovering.
Recommended when dengue fever is suspected, especially in endemic or travel-related settings, to distinguish primary from secondary infection.
- Separating first from repeat infection
An early, strong IgG alongside IgM points to a second dengue infection, which your doctor will watch more closely.
- Documenting past exposure
A positive IgG with no current symptoms records that you have had dengue before, which is useful background for any future fever.
- Completing the dengue picture
IgG covers the late part of the antibody timeline that IgM and NS1 antigen testing do not reach.
- Assessing fever after travel
In someone who has returned from a country where dengue circulates, antibody testing helps place the illness in context alongside clinical assessment.
Reasons your doctor may request the Dengue Antibody, IgG, Rapid Detection Test test
Your doctor may order this test for any of the reasons below. Some are routine checks, others follow specific symptoms or an earlier result.
Fever after travel
- Fever, severe headache and marked joint or muscle pain after travel to a region where dengue circulates.
- A rash with fever in someone living in or returning from a dengue area.
Later in the illness
- Illness continuing beyond the first few days, when antibodies have had time to appear.
- Follow-up testing after an earlier sample was taken too early to show antibodies.
Repeat infection
- Suspected repeat dengue infection in a person who has had it before.
A Non-Reactive / Negative result means no dengue IgG was detected. In a first infection IgG appears late, so a negative result early in an illness does not settle the question and a repeat sample may be needed. A Reactive / Positive result means IgG is present. Because this antibody persists for years, a positive result on its own says you have met dengue at some point rather than that you have it now. A strong IgG early in an illness suggests a repeat infection with a different serotype rather than a first one. Related flaviviruses such as Zika, or vaccines against them, can cross-react. Your doctor reads the result with your IgM, the NS1 antigen where available, the timing of your symptoms and your travel history. Fever after travel to a dengue area needs prompt medical assessment.
Medically reviewed by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy
This test is reported descriptively rather than on a numeric scale: each finding below explains what your report may say.
No infection or antibodies detected: a negative result.
Detected: a positive result. Please consult your physician for confirmation and next steps.
Ranges are a guide: your physician interprets your result alongside your symptoms and history.
What a higher result can point to
- Dengue infection in the past, sometimes years earlier, since IgG persists indefinitely.
- A current secondary dengue infection, in which IgG rises quickly and early.
- The convalescent stage of a first dengue infection, once IgG has developed.
- Cross-reaction with other flaviviruses such as Zika, yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis, including after vaccination against them.
These are possibilities, not diagnoses. A single value outside the reference range is interpreted alongside your symptoms, history and other tests: your doctor decides what it means for you.
What this test cannot tell you
- A positive IgG cannot by itself say whether the infection is current, because the antibody persists for years after recovery.
- Antibodies raised against related flaviviruses, or against vaccines for them, can cross-react and produce a positive result without dengue.
- Testing too early in the illness can give a negative result even in genuine dengue, so a repeat sample later may be needed.
- No antibody result replaces clinical assessment: fever after travel to a dengue area needs prompt medical review, and severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding from the gums or nose, blood in vomit or stool, or extreme lethargy or restlessness need emergency care straight away.
Risks of the blood draw
- Mild bruising or brief soreness where the needle went in.
- Occasional lightheadedness, which settles after a few minutes of rest.
- Bleeding or infection at the site, which is rare with sterile single-use equipment.
- 1IgG is the long-lasting antibody the immune system makes against dengue, while IgM is the early one.
- 2IgG appears late in a first infection but early and strongly in a repeat one.
- 3A positive result signals exposure at some point, not necessarily current illness.
- 4It is interpreted together with IgM, NS1 antigen and the timing of your symptoms.
- 5Fever with recent travel to a dengue area needs prompt medical assessment, not a self-booked test and a wait for the report; warning signs appearing as the fever settles are an emergency.
- Immunology / SerologyDengue Antibody, IgM, Rapid Detection Test
This rapid test detects IgM antibodies to dengue, indicating a current or recent primary dengue infection. Results are available within 24 hours to…
120View - Immunology / SerologyDengue Fever Combined Panel, Rapid
This combined rapid test detects dengue NS1 antigen along with IgM and IgG antibodies, enabling detection at all stages of dengue infection: from…
249View - HaematologyComplete Blood Count (CBC)
The CBC is the most commonly ordered blood test. It measures red blood cells, white blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and platelets to assess…
35View - HaematologyPlatelet Counts
This test counts the number of platelets (thrombocytes) in your blood. Platelets are essential for blood clotting. Low counts increase bleeding risk,…
25View
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Dengue Antibody, IgG, Rapid Detection Test test. Can't find what you're looking for?
Talk to our team→Not on its own. IgG stays in the blood for years after recovery, so a positive result may reflect an old infection. Your doctor looks at IgM, the NS1 antigen and the timing of your symptoms to judge whether the infection is current.
IgM is the antibody your body makes first. It appears within days of the fever starting and fades over the following months, so it suggests recent or current infection. IgG comes later, lasts for years, and usually reflects past exposure or immunity.
You are protected against the particular dengue serotype you had, but not against the others that circulate. A later infection with a different serotype is possible and can be more severe, which is why mosquito precautions still matter.
Yes. Dengue belongs to the flavivirus family, and antibodies raised against relatives such as Zika, yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis (whether from infection or vaccination) can cross-react. Your travel and vaccination history helps your doctor allow for this.
It looks for IgG antibodies against the dengue virus in a serum sample, and the result is reported as Reactive (Positive) or Non-Reactive (Negative). IgG is the durable part of the immune response: it appears after IgM and can stay for years, so a reactive result shows the body has encountered dengue before, while a strong IgG early in an illness suggests a repeat infection.
It is used when dengue is suspected, with fever, headache, aching joints or muscles or a rash, in someone who lives in or has returned from a region where it circulates. Read alongside IgM, NS1 and the timing of symptoms, it helps a doctor tell a first infection from a repeat one, an important distinction, since a second dengue infection is more likely to become severe.
No, fasting is not required for the Past Dengue Antibody (IgG) test, so you can eat and drink normally beforehand.
The Past Dengue Antibody (IgG) test uses a blood sample, collected quickly by our DHA-licensed phlebotomist with minimal discomfort.
Results for the Past Dengue Antibody (IgG) test are typically ready within 24 hours. You will receive a secure digital report, and your Smart Report highlights anything outside the normal range.
The Past Dengue Antibody (IgG) test is AED 120, which includes a physician-reviewed report. Home collection is free when your order comes to AED 300 or more or includes a package; below that, an AED 100 home collection fee applies (AED 50 for a lab walk-in). You can also build a custom panel and pay only for the markers you choose.
Yes. A DHA-licensed phlebotomist can collect your sample at home or the office anywhere in Dubai, 7 days a week. Collection is free for orders of AED 300 or more, or any order with a package; otherwise an AED 100 home collection fee applies. See how it works.
It is commonly chosen by all ages. If you are not sure it is right for you, our care team is happy to advise.
Add the Past Dengue Antibody (IgG) test to your cart and complete the short booking wizard, choosing home collection or a lab visit. Guest checkout lets you book without creating an account.
Yes. It is processed at our EIAC-accredited laboratory (ISO 15189:2022) under DHA license 0046381 and verified by board-certified pathologists.
Every report includes reference ranges and plain-language notes. If you have questions, our care team can arrange a clinician review: just get in touch.
Absolutely. Add it to a curated health package or bundle it with any of our 160+ biomarkers, often from a single sample in one visit.