Widal Test Price in Mumbai

Named after its inventor, Georges-Fernand Widal, A  Widal Test is done to detect the presence of serum agglutinins or antibodies (H and O) in individuals who have typhoid and paratyphoid fever. Typhoid, often referred to as enteric fever, is a severe bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi. This is a tube dilution test that looks for antibodies specific to this bacteria in an individual’s bloodstream. Typically, a positive  Widal Test means the individual has an ongoing or past infection, and certain actions need to be taken. Leaving this infection unaddressed for a prolonged period can deteriorate the condition and can sometimes lead to various other complications as well.

Preparations Before  Widal Test in Mumbai 

Usually, no specific preparation, such as overnight fasting, is required for a widal medical test. However, it is recommended that individuals who are on any kind of medication inform the doctor about it. There are certain drugs that can alter the result of the Widal blood test, so the doctor will suggest them accordingly. Other than this, it is also important to avoid caffeinated drinks right before sample collection as they can impact the test result.

What To Expect During the Procedure

At Max Lab, you can easily book a  Widal Test in Mumbai  online. Here, we have an option of hassle-free sample collection at home for the  Widal Test in Mumbai  without any additional charges. One of our trained phlebotomists will visit your home at the scheduled time to collect the sample.

This is a simple blood test, and the entire procedure of sample collection will not take more than 10-15 minutes. Before starting the procedure, he/she will ask the person to sit comfortably and relax, and then he/she will try to locate a vein on the arm. Usually, a band is tied around it to make it more visible. Once the vein is located, the phlebotomist will clean the area using a disinfectant swab and insert a needle to draw blood. Once done, the needle is removed, and a bandage is used to avoid any kind of bleeding. 

Why Doctors Recommend the Widal Test 

A  Widal Test is used to detect antibodies (H and O) in people who have enteric fever. When they experience high fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rose spots (rashes), etc., then the chances of typhoid and paratyphoid are very high. The initial signs of typhoid or paratyphoid can take 6 to 30 days to appear after an individual is exposed to infection. However, it is also important to note that there are individuals who can have typhoid without exhibiting any signs or symptoms initially. This means that enteric fevers can show their signs in some individuals gradually. If an individual experiences any signs that indicate typhoid fever, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. He/she will suggest a serum  Widal Test to confirm the diagnosis.

Besides water and food contamination, salmonella typhi can cause infection through the faeces of people who have typhoid or paratyphoid. This is the reason why a  Widal Test in Mumbai  is done for people who have been exposed to infected people in their family or neighbourhood.

Other than diagnosing typhoid or paratyphoid, constant monitoring of the infection is also among the common uses of the  Widal Test. The doctor may suggest this test to individuals who’ve been diagnosed with this infection as this helps in monitoring the progress of the infection as well as the effectiveness of the treatment.

Factors That May Impact  Widal Test in Mumbai Results

Here are a few factors that can affect the results of a  Widal Test in Mumbai :

Testing Time: In the human body, antibody levels may take some time to rise after infection so the timing of the test can have a major impact on results. Usually, the results of the  Widal Test in Mumbai  are more accurate when it is performed during the second week of illness. 

Vaccination: Individuals who recently got a vaccination against typhoid fever are more likely to get a false positive result as the test will detect the antibodies generated by the vaccine.

Medical History: Sometimes, any other ongoing infection or illness can also have an impact on the test results, leading to a false positive or false negative.  

Age and Gender: There can be slight variation in the normal value of  Widal Test depending on the age and gender of an individual, as the body’s immune response may differ.

Understanding the Test Results

The  Widal Test in Mumbai  produces results that are either positive or negative, based on the titres of antibodies detected in an individual’s bloodstream. In the  Widal Test, there are four different parameters, and they have different normal values, which are:

• Salmonella Typhi (O)  <1:80
• Samonella Typhi (H)   <1:160
• Samonella ParaTyphi (A, H) <1:160
• Samonella ParaTyphi (B, H)     <1:160

If an individual’s  Widal Test report shows values higher than these, it is a positive result that suggests an active/past infection.

Although Max Lab follows all the standard procedures to ensure accurate test results, there are certain factors that can lead to false positive results for  Widal Test . So, it is always recommended to consult the doctor as soon as the test reports are received. The doctor will take several factors into consideration for more accurate interpretation of  Widal Test results. He/she may also suggest a few confirmatory tests if required.

How to Manage Typhoid Symptoms

Typhoid or enteric fever is a condition that often leads to several other health issues when left untreated. These symptoms can be managed by making a few basic lifestyle changes and adhering to certain hygiene practices. Some of these include:

Drinking clean water: Individuals with typhoid fever should consume clean water that has been either boiled or purified using any other technique.

Eating properly cooked food: One should avoid having raw or undercooked foods as it can worsen the condition.

Maintaining hand hygiene: It is recommended to thoroughly wash hands with soap and clean water before meals.

Vaccination: Every individual (including both adults and kids) should get a suitable typhoid vaccination to minimise the chances of getting this infection.