Widal Test

Widal test is a simple test used to detect typhoid and paratyphoid fever, together called enteric fever. Typhoid is usually caused by consumption of contaminated food or water and affects the digestive system. Salmonella bacteria i.e. “Salmonella typhi” or “Salmonella paratyphi” are the major cause of typhoid. The Widal Test for typhoid helps in detection of serum agglutinins or antibodies (H and O) presence in individuals who have typhoid and paratyphoid fever. The serum widal test has no major side effects and at an affordable price, it provides accurate detection. Presence of antibodies against Salmonella in blood, serves as the basis of observation for the test, hence bacteria will agglutinate when it mixes with red blood cells of a healthy person. Presence of antibodies in blood is indicative of infection with Salmonella typhi and the person is likely to be infected with typhoid fever.

A person needs to get tested if they have come in contact with someone or some area where people have typhoid fever and are unsure of your immunity to it.

• Post travelling to a new place or area.
• If you have consumed food or water in an unhygienic setup.
• Abdominal pain, fever and feeling unwell are early symptoms of the disease.
• As the typhoid fever worsens, the symptoms include headaches, a very high fever up to 104 F, abdominal pain, red spots over abdomen or on chest, constipation, diarrhoea, weakness and loss of appetite. Other symptoms like body aches, chills, blood in stool, extreme fatigue, etc.