San José, Costa Rica. February, 2016.

With the laboratory of the Clinica Biblica Hospital, the high technology equipment on the Molecular Diagnosis platforms and with the endorsement of the Ministry of Health, people may now quickly learn if they are carriers of the Zika virus.

According to Dr. Rodrigo Cruz Jiménez, Head of the Laboratory of the Clínica Bíblica Hospital, “in order to apply this test to patients, they must be in the first week of the symptoms and have already discarded having dengue or chikungunya.”

First, one takes a blood sample from the patient suspected of being a carrier of the Zika virus. This is analyzed with the molecular biology technology. The results are delivered between 4 to 5 business days later. The test is made with or without a medical reference, so that anyone may undergo this test.

“The test has a high specificity since it is an amplification analysis of a very concrete portion of the genetic material of the virus, so that there are no crossed reactions with other viruses,” said Dr. Kenneth Rojas, physician of the Clínica Biblica Hospital.

In our country, everyone is susceptible and vulnerable, but those people who live in the areas shown to have the presence of the vector mosquito are under higher risks. Pregnant women, small children and people with immunity disorders must be especially careful not to get bitten by the mosquito.

One of the benefits of the Zika test is to learn if one is a carrier of the disease, since cases of sexual transmission have been proven and one should prevent risks in the case of pregnant women.

Since there is no definitive treatment, should the test result positive, it is recommended that the person contact his/her doctor for the follow-up of the disease, since Zika is an ailment for which no cure has been found to date.

The cost of the tests:

• Zika, qualitative through PCR, costs ¢38,000 colones
• Zika, Dengue and chikungunya Panel, costs ¢76,000 colones

The Laboratory of the Clínica Bíblica Hospital offers 24 hour assistance and does not require prior appointment. In addition, for greater convenience, if you are located within the GAM area, the sample may be taken at your home or office.

Some data to consider about Dengue, Chikunguña and Zika are the following:

Differences between the symptoms

In order to obtain further information or to request an appointment in any of the medical specialties with the best doctors of Costa Rica, you may contact the private hospital Clínica Bíblica at telephone number 2522-1000, at email citas@clinicabiblica.com or vía chat on the website www.clinicabiblica.com