Dengue NS1 Antigen Test

Dengue NS1 antigen is detectable during the acute phase of infection with the dengue virus. The antigen is generally detectable after 24 to 48 hours and upto 9 days after symptoms have developed. This test helps diagnose the condition early and hence helps start the treatment soon. A false negative result might be due to sample being collected before 24 to 48 hours or after 9 to 10 days, as the antigen is rarely detected after 9 to 10 days of appearance of symptoms. For this reason Dengue NS1 antigen test is not recommended after 7 days of symptoms onset.