How Early Can Typhoid Be Diagnosed Through Blood Test?

Posted on Sun, 17 Nov 2013

Question: How early can typhoid be diagnosed through blood test from the onset of fever

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It depends on the test...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Widal test and blood culture are the two common tests performed to diagnose typhoid. Though Widal test is specific, the results are not reliable when it's done within a week from the onset of fever.

In simple words, if fever is only of 3 days duration Widal test may not pick up typhoid infection. Blood culture gives more accurate to pick up typhoid infection.

That being said, I would prefer your clinician takes complete history from the patient. A detailed clinical history and physical signs can provide more clues to suspect typhoid infection. Blood test should be used only to support clinical suspicion.

Hope this helps. If you wish to learn better, I will need complete elaboration of clinical symptoms and the reason why typhoid is suspected.

Best Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar