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What Does The Following Widal Test Result Indicate?
Question: Hi Doctor,
Have done my Widal test and below are the results, please let me know if I have typhoid
S TYPHI 'O' - 1:20
S TYPHI 'H' - 1:20
S TYPHI 'AH' - 1:20
S TYPHI 'BH' - 1:20
Salmonella IGG - Negative
Salmonella IGM - Positive
Im currently in antibiotics and was taking it during the test as I had fever, cough and running nose. Doctor said I don't have and the positive is because of my previous infection.
Thanks
XXXX
Have done my Widal test and below are the results, please let me know if I have typhoid
S TYPHI 'O' - 1:20
S TYPHI 'H' - 1:20
S TYPHI 'AH' - 1:20
S TYPHI 'BH' - 1:20
Salmonella IGG - Negative
Salmonella IGM - Positive
Im currently in antibiotics and was taking it during the test as I had fever, cough and running nose. Doctor said I don't have and the positive is because of my previous infection.
Thanks
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Typhoid is very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your concern.
I have gone through your results.
As per your results, you do not have typhoid illness.
IgM is very sensitive in ruling out typhoid in your case.
Antibody testing is more sensitive and specific than Widal test.
IgG can be positive only in past or remote infections. Hence, you need not worry about this.
Your doctor has made a right call.
You can continue your antibiotics as prescribed for fever, cough and running nose.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Typhoid is very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your concern.
I have gone through your results.
As per your results, you do not have typhoid illness.
IgM is very sensitive in ruling out typhoid in your case.
Antibody testing is more sensitive and specific than Widal test.
IgG can be positive only in past or remote infections. Hence, you need not worry about this.
Your doctor has made a right call.
You can continue your antibiotics as prescribed for fever, cough and running nose.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor,
Thanks for your answer and clarifying things.
Have gone through your comments and wanted to clarify if you have considered my IgG as Negative and IgM as Positive which is what mentioned in my reports.
Please let me know.
And for your information I do not have any fever and only thing bothering is cough and im continuing with the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
Thanks in Advance
XXXX
Thanks for your answer and clarifying things.
Have gone through your comments and wanted to clarify if you have considered my IgG as Negative and IgM as Positive which is what mentioned in my reports.
Please let me know.
And for your information I do not have any fever and only thing bothering is cough and im continuing with the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
Thanks in Advance
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Relevant info provided.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your concern.
Let me explain-Widal test is outdated in diagnosing Typhoid infection-Hence do not bother about it.
Next ELISA/serological studies via IgG/M have only little sensitivity in making a diagnosis.A positive IgM does not always confer infection.False positives are also common.
Typhoid is largely diagnosed on combination of clinical features and supportive lab data.Usually stool culture is used in 1st week of illness
The typical features of typhoid are lacking in your case,both in terms of lab data as well as clinical features.Hence your doctor turned down the diagnosis of typhoid.
He might have prescribed antibiotics on empirical basis only against cough for possible mild chest infection.
You should be fine soon.Do not worry.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Relevant info provided.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I understand your concern.
Let me explain-Widal test is outdated in diagnosing Typhoid infection-Hence do not bother about it.
Next ELISA/serological studies via IgG/M have only little sensitivity in making a diagnosis.A positive IgM does not always confer infection.False positives are also common.
Typhoid is largely diagnosed on combination of clinical features and supportive lab data.Usually stool culture is used in 1st week of illness
The typical features of typhoid are lacking in your case,both in terms of lab data as well as clinical features.Hence your doctor turned down the diagnosis of typhoid.
He might have prescribed antibiotics on empirical basis only against cough for possible mild chest infection.
You should be fine soon.Do not worry.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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