What Are The Findings From My Child's Widal Report?

Posted on Mon, 30 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 Answered on

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor, My 11 year son has fever, temperature is varying... so far Antiboitic NOT been started yet , had blood culture test but report is awaited ... Kindly suggest but Widal report indicating WIDAL Test, Serum Result Unit ------------------------- --------- ------ S TYPHI 'O' 1:80 Titer S TYPHI 'H' <1:80 Titer S ParaTYPHI 'AH' <1:80 Titer S ParaTYPHI 'BH' <1:80 Titer Thanks XXXX YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. E Venkata Ramana (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: The widal report is negative at present. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic. I went through the Widal report of your son. The present Widal test report is equivocal or negative. This titer of 1:80 can not be taken as a positive result for Typhoid fever. If the fever is persisting and clinical suspicion for Typhoid fever is there, then the Widal test has to be repeated again after 1 week to look for the raise of titers. Therefore I suggest you to be in follow up with the doctor for clinical correlation of the reports. Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know. Regards.

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

Follow up: Dr. E Venkata Ramana (2 days later)

Got blood culture report- Test Report Status Preliminary Results Biological Reference Range Units MICRO BIOLOGY CULTURE, BLOOD AND SUSCEPTIBILITY CULTURE; BLOOD - PRELIMINARY CULTURE - -POSITIVE ORGANISM -GRAM NEGATIVE BACILLI GROWN CULTURE; BLOOD - FINAL RESULT PENDING * AEROBIC SUSCEPTIBILITY GRAM NEGATIVE ORGANISM -RESULT PENDING * FIRST LINE ANTIBIOTICS - - RESULT PENDING * SECOND LINE ANTIBIOTICS -RESULT PENDING * SUPPLEMENTAL ANTIBIOTICS -RESULT PENDING **End

Answered by Dr. E Venkata Ramana (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Child needs a course of antibiotic. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thank you for getting back. The blood culture is suggestive of child got infection with a bacteria which is gram negative. So the child needs an empiric antibiotic which acts against gram negative bacilli. Once the complete blood culture reports comes, specific antibiotic can be started depending on culture and sensitivity report. In addition to antibiotic, general measures such as paracetamol for fever, fluids for hydration maintenance, and monitoring of temperature, activity, and hydration status is required. Therefore I suggest you to consult the pediatrician with this report to correlate clinically and to start an appropriate medication. Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. E Venkata Ramana (23 hours later)

Thanks for update, Today we got final report of blood culture test , I am consulting with pediatrician also uploaded that report for your kind review. Thanks

Answered by Dr. E Venkata Ramana (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Report suggestive of Typhoid infection. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Thank you for getting back. The blood culture is positive and showed the growth of Salmonella Typhi bacteria. And this infection is known as Typhoid fever. So the child needs a sensitive antibiotic course to treat the Typhoid infection. In addition to antibiotic course, proper rest, plenty of oral fluids to maintain hydration, and soft diet is needed. And take personal hygienic measures such as strict hand wash to prevent the spread of infection to other family members. Therefore I suggest you to consult your Pediatrician for treatment and be in regular follow up till the child recovers completely. Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know. Regards.

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