A fever profile test is a panel of blood and urine tests used to identify the underlying cause of fever, especially if it is persistent or accompanied by other associated symptoms. It is a common diagnostic tool for various infections, inflammatory conditions and other diseases.
What is the purpose of a fever panel test?
If you’re wondering what a fever profile test is and why you need one, you’re in the right place. A fever profile test is a type of blood test for adults that can perform several functions, from diagnosing the underlying cause of an unexplained fever to producing results related to a variety of illnesses that cause fever. It includes providing comprehensive examinations to doctors. The following are some of the reasons why your doctor may recommend a fever profile test.
- To diagnose diseases such as dengue, malaria or typhoid fever.
- Early detection of illness leads to faster treatment and recovery.
- If you have chronic low-grade fever.
- If you notice typical symptoms of typhoid fever, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, weight loss, muscle weakness, skin rashes, and loss of appetite.
- If you have symptoms of malaria, such as fever, headache and chills.
When is it necessary to have a fever panel test?
Your doctor may recommend a fever profile blood test if you experience any or all of the following symptoms for more than two days:
- Severe body pain
- vomit
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Diarrhea
How to prepare for the fever panel test?
Although the fever profile test requires no special preparation, you should tell your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken that may affect the results.
Sometimes your doctor may recommend that you fast for at least 8 to 10 hours the night before the test. However, you should continue drinking water to avoid dehydration.
How many tests are included in the fever profile?
A fever profile test consists of several blood tests to check various parameters of the body. A list of fever profile blood tests includes:
- Complete blood count (CBC, ESR): This is a complete blood test that provides information about various blood components.
- Typhoid.IgM: This immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody test is used to diagnose typhoid fever caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi.
- Malaria peripheral smear: This is a microscopic examination of a thin layer of blood to detect the presence of malaria parasites.
- Routine urine analysis: This test involves analyzing a urine sample to evaluate various parameters, such as color, appearance, pH, specific gravity, protein, glucose, ketones, red and white blood cells, and bacteria.
- Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT): This test is commonly used to evaluate liver function, diagnose liver diseases such as hepatitis, monitor the effectiveness of treatment, and monitor possible liver toxicity due to certain medications or substances.
- Aerobic blood culture: this culture is performed to identify and isolate bacteria or fungi present in the blood. This is important for diagnosing bloodstream infections, such as sepsis, and determining the causative organism.
- Dengue NS1 Antigen, Dengue IgG and IgM: These are blood tests used to diagnose dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection.
The technician or your doctor will take approximately 4 ml of blood and 3 ml of blood serum as samples for various tests. The sample passes directly into the vacutainer through a needle in the vein. You may also be asked to collect 10 ml of spot urine in a sterile container provided by the laboratory technician during the fever profile test.
Is there any risk?
During a fever profile test, a small amount of blood is drawn using a needle and syringe. The procedure is relatively quick and painless and the associated risks are minimal.
What do fever profile test results mean?
The fever profile test report is not easy to understand as it includes different tests. Each test has different parameters before your doctor can conclude what it means.
Some interpretations of the fever profile test include:
- High neutrophil count: presence of bacterial infection.
- Positive Wiedel test: typhoid fever.
- Presence of malaria parasites in the peripheral smear: malaria infection.
Routine urine test results may indicate a urinary tract infection.
When should I go for a fever profile test?
A fever profile test is a recommended diagnostic procedure if you have a fever that persists for more than two days with flu-like symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and chills. The purpose of this test is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your condition by examining various aspects related to fever and associated symptoms.
What do the results mean?
Normal results on a Fever Profile Test usually mean that your fever is likely due to a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu. However, abnormal results can indicate various underlying conditions, such as:
- Bacterial infections
- Viral infections (other than the common cold or flu)
- Parasite infections
- Fungal infections
- Inflammatory conditions, such as autoimmune diseases
- Certain cancers
If your Fever Profile Test results are abnormal, your doctor will likely recommend further tests to determine the specific cause of your fever and recommend appropriate treatment.
