Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)

Enteric fever is a life-threatening disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S. Typhi). It is usually transmitted through food and drinks contaminated with fecal matter. The most common symptoms of typhoid include high fever, headache, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, a specific rash called rose spots, abdominal pain, and weight loss. They may be noticed about 1 to 2 weeks after being infected.

You may need the Widal Test (Slide Agglutination) if you have traveled to areas where the infection is present or if you have been in close contact with someone who has traveled to the infected areas or is infected. Individuals close to the infected person should also get tested to rule out the possibility of infection transmission. No special preparation is needed for a typhoid test; eat or drink as per your daily routine. However, talk to your doctor about all the pre-test instructions. 

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your condition and formulate your overall treatment plan.