Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is warm agglutinin?
- When should I take warm agglutinins?
- Precautions & warnings
- What should I know before taking warm agglutinins?
- Process
- What should I do before starting warm agglutinins?
- How does warm agglutinin process?
- What should I do after taking warm agglutinins?
- Explanation of the Test Results
- What do my test results mean?
Definition
What is warm agglutinin?
Warm agglutinin is a test that uses body heat to diagnose infectious diseases (for example, salmonella, rickettsia, brucella, and tularemia). Cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma, are also frequently associated with febrile agglutinin. To treat infectious diseases, doctors will usually give antibiotics.
When should I take warm agglutinins?
This antibody test is done to diagnose diseases caused by salmonella, rickettsia, and brucella. Through this test, the doctor can determine the cause of hemolytic anemia (the condition of red blood cells in blood vessels being destroyed too early)
Precautions & warnings
What should I know before taking warm agglutinins?
Temperature control must be maintained. The febrile agglutinin sample should not be exposed to the slightest heat before arriving in the laboratory. Observe warnings and precautions before undergoing this treatment. If you have any questions, please consult a doctor for further information and instructions.
Process
What should I do before starting warm agglutinins?
Your doctor will explain the whole set of tests. Basically, this test is a blood test. There is no special preparation before undergoing this test. It is recommended that you wear short-sleeved clothing to make the process of taking a blood sample from your hand easier. Before doing this test, you do not need to fast.
How does warm agglutinin process?
The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:
- wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
- clean the area to be injected with alcohol
- inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
- Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
- untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
- attaching gauze or cotton to the injection site, after the injection is complete
- apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on
What should I do after taking warm agglutinins?
Some people may feel pain when the needle is inserted into the skin. But for most people, the pain will fade away when the needle is right in the vein. Generally, the level of pain experienced depends on the nurse's expertise, the condition of the blood vessels, and the person's sensitivity to pain.
After going through the blood draw process, wrap your hands with a bandage. Press the vein lightly to stop the bleeding. After doing the test, you can carry out your activities as usual.
Explanation of the Test Results
What do my test results mean?
Normal:
The number of antibodies is less than 1:80
Abnormal:
The increase in the number of antibodies is caused by:
- salmonella infection
- rickettsia disease
- brucella
- tularemia infection
- lymphoma
- systemic lupus erythematosus
The normal range for a warm agglutinin test may vary depending on which laboratory you choose. Discuss with your doctor if you have any questions about your test results.
