Typhoid Fever
A Widal test meaning is a serology blood test that helps detect typhoid or enteric fever in the body. This test was first conducted in 1896 by Georges Ferdinand Widal and was named after him.
The Widal test is an advanced way to check for antibodies that your body makes against the salmonella bacteria that causes typhoid fever. It looks for O and H antibodies in a patient’s sample blood (serum).
This test helps detect life-threatening illnesses like typhoid fever. However, interpreting the Widal test is important to arrive at the correct results.
Typhoid Fever and Widal Test
Typhoid fever, also known as enteric fever, is a severe illness caused by salmonella bacteria. This bacteria affects your digestive system after you consume food or water contaminated with fecal material.
A person with typhoid fever will experience symptoms like fatigue, high fever, headache, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, weight loss, and red spots. It is crucial to detect and treat typhoid fever as soon as possible to prevent further complications like severe intestinal bleeding or perforation.
There are various tests available to detect typhoid fever, such as stool culture, bone marrow, etc. One such test is the Widal test, which detects the presence of antibodies that your body makes against salmonella bacteria during typhoid.
The bacteria that cause typhoid fever is Salmonella bacteria. It can spread from person to person or from consuming contaminated food. The bacteria are of two types:
- Salmonella Typhi, also known as S. Typhi,
- Salmonella Paratyphi, which is also known as S. Paratyphi
Now, the bacteria S. Typhi has two antigens named:
- S. Typhi O (TO), primary antigen
- S. Typhi H (TH), secondary antigen
On the other hand, the bacteria S. Paratyphi has the following two antigens:
- S. Paratyphi A
- S. Paratyphi B
When is the Typhoid Test prescribed?
A doctor may recommend a Typhoid test to check the presence of Salmonella Typhi if they suspect typhoid fever based on the symptoms shown by the person. Symptoms of typhoid fever include:
- High temperature with body pain, especially in the legs and head.
- High temperature accompanied by extreme tiredness and weakness.
- Bloating followed by stomach pain.
- Digestive issues.
- A gradual rise in body temperature over 3-4 days.
- Slow pulse rate with increasing body temperature.
- The appearance of red, small bumps or rashes on the back and abdomen after one week of fever.
Sample: Serum / whole blood
Reports by: same day
No preparation required
