Chikungunya test at home: how rapid IgG/IgM kits work
A rapid chikungunya IgG/IgM card detects antibodies in a drop of blood in about 15–20 minutes. Antibodies usually appear only after the first few days of fever, so testing too early can give a false negative. The kit is a screening test: a doctor should confirm the result, often with a lab IgM ELISA or RT-PCR.
What chikungunya is
Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread dengue. It causes sudden fever and severe joint pain, often with joint swelling, headache, rash and tiredness. Because the symptoms overlap with dengue, testing helps a doctor tell them apart.
How a rapid IgG/IgM kit works
The card is a lateral flow test. A small blood sample and buffer flow along a strip that carries chikungunya antigen. If the blood has antibodies against the virus, coloured lines appear.
- IgM is the early antibody. A positive IgM line suggests a recent infection.
- IgG appears later and can stay for a long time. IgG alone may mean a past infection.
- C (control) must always appear. If it does not, the test is invalid.
When to test
In the first days of fever the body may not have made enough antibody yet. Many doctors prefer an antibody test from around the fifth day of illness, and a molecular (RT-PCR) test in the first week. If an early rapid test is negative but fever and joint pain continue, repeat the test or see a doctor.
How to read the result
| Lines seen | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| C only | Negative (antibodies not found at this time) |
| C + IgM | Possible recent infection |
| C + IgG | Possible past infection |
| C + IgM + IgG | Possible recent infection, later stage |
| No C line | Invalid: repeat with a new card |
Read the card in the time stated in the kit insert. A line that appears much later should not be counted.
Kit price and pack sizes
| Dr. Manya kit | Pack price | Per test |
|---|---|---|
| Chikungunya IgG/IgM, 3 tests | ₹249 | ₹83 |
| Chikungunya IgG/IgM, 5 tests | ₹449 | ₹90 |
| Chikungunya IgG/IgM, 10 tests | ₹549 | ₹55 |
Fever with joint pain can also be dengue. See our guide on dengue NS1 vs IgM/IgG.
When to see a doctor straight away
Go to a doctor if there is bleeding, severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, confusion, or if the patient is a newborn, elderly or has other illnesses. Avoid painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin until dengue has been ruled out; WHO advises paracetamol for fever and pain.