Can the dengue test give false positive results?

Yes, false-positive results can occur with the Dengue ELISA test. This can happen due to cross-reactivity with antibodies from other flaviviruses such as Zika, West Nile, and yellow fever. Certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also produce antibodies that may interfere with the test. False positives are more likely in areas where multiple flaviviruses are prevalent. To minimise the risk of false positives, it is important to consider the patient's clinical symptoms, travel history, and potential exposures. In cases where the ELISA test result is positive but clinical correlation is unclear, additional confirmatory tests such as PCR or virus isolation may be needed to accurately diagnose dengue infection.