<s>[INST] How is dengue fever diagnose​d? [/INST] Dengue fever is diagnosed clinically in patients that present with the signs and symptoms and have a compatible and recent travel history. Dengue fever may however be confirmed only with specialized testing offered at the National Institute of Communicable Diseases. Laboratory investigation includes RT-PCR and virus isolation in acute patients (patients that have been ill for less than one week) and serology. Serology is most informative when repeat specimens (i.e. acute and convalescent) are submitted for investigation.

Exclusion of malaria would be important due to the similarities in mode of transmission and clinical features of both diseases. Source: SASTM ORG. Link: https://sastm.org.za/2023/03/16/dengue-faq/. Field: Infectious Disease. Disease: Dengue </s>