What Does My Widal Test Report Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 18 Jan 2017

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

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 Answered on

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello All,
I am on typhoid medication. Widel test is showing 1:320. I am having IV injection 2 times a day ceftriaxone and sulbatan . 5 dose over but I still have shivering and feverish.Thermometer is showing normal. Doctor told 5 days course. How long the symptoms remains.

Kindly advise

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Oral antibiotics to be started..

Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.
Typhoid fever responds after a week of antibiotic therapy.
Sometimes it takes up to 10 days.
The best treatment at present would be to stop intravenous antibiotics and start oral antibiotic combination of Cefixime and Ofloxacin.
I personally find this regimen very effective.
Once started on this you chills should disappear with in 2-3 days.
Please share my opinion with your doctor and he shall agree to this and start you on this regimen.
I hope it helps you
If you have any further query, please ask me.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (8 hours later)

Doctor did prescribed cefixime 200 before the IV starts, then she did a vidal test where the result was 1:320 immediatly the lV started. The IV will be over by tomorrow. The inside body temp is more and slight shiverring during night.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Now oral combination

Detailed Answer:
Initially, IV drugs are given and when fever responds, then later, oral cefixime and ofloxacin is given.
In typhoid fever, inside feverish feeling and slight shivering persists for long till the infection is completely cured which usually takes 10-14 days.
So, as advised , discuss with your doctor again, he would shift you on oral antibiotics and you will be fine.
Good Luck.

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

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (44 hours later)

Thanks for the reply. Yesterday I had a second opinion from a senoir doc from manipal hospital. Yesterday widal test is done again. Now the hospital test result is showing negative where as the local widal test showing 1:320. Could you please check

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Any one of those report is erroneous.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Widal test never gets negative in such a short span of tme.
So, one of your test is probably wrong.

Now what are your present symptoms ?

Are you having any fever yet ? Or it's just weakness ?

Awaiting....

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee