Health
No Comments Diagnosis of Viral Infections
Diagnosing a viral infection refers to the process by which a virus which is suspected to be in the body is detected and the extent of its spread in the body is examined. There are three main methods through which a virus in the body can be detected. These are direct examination, indirect examination and last but not least, serology. To understand each of these methods, it is important that we closely analyze the instruments and methods used to carry out these methods of diagnosis and how they work.
For direct examination, the clinical sample which is being tested for the suspected virus is directly examined to see whether there are any viral particles found within it. This can be done in a number of ways. One of these is antigen detection; which is performed fast and often gives results within a very short period. Another is the use of Electron Microscopy which relies on the ability of the technician to identify individual virus particles based on their morphology.
In the case of indirect examination, animals, eggs and cell cultures are the agents which are often used to isolate and identify the virus particle. This is actually the reason why it is also called the virus isolation method. This method is regarded by many scientists as time consuming, and often medical practitioners will go for other diagnostic methods which are faster such as antigen detection and molecular methods.
Last but not least, we have serology which happens to be the most commonly used method of diagnosis of viral infections. Serology is based on gauging the rising amounts of antibody in the body in the period during acute infection and convalescence. It can also be based on determining the number of micro-organisms known as Igm in the body, which is the first antibody to appear in the body after infection.



