What Is My Widal Test Result Suggestive Of?

Posted on Tue, 1 Apr 2014

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

Tue, 1 Apr 2014 Answered on

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a widal test done at the clinic, with Typhoid O Antigen 1/180 and H Antigen 1/80. The doctor told me it was suggestive of typhoid, so prescribed me Ciprofloxacin, but only for 4 days. Please help. I don't trust this doctor, because many online forums say to take antibiotics for at least 10 days. Symptoms: -fatigue -irritability -diarrhea -sharp stomach pains CBC: WBC 6.94 * 10^9/L range: 4-11 NEUTR 65.90 range: 40-70 LYM 20.5 range: 20-45 MONO 9.34 range: .00-8.00 EOSINO 3.75 range: .00-4.00 BASO .54 range: .00-2.00 NEUTR# 4.57 * 10^9/L range: 2-7.00 LYM# 1.42 * 10^9/L range: 1.50- 4.00 Mono# 0.64 * 10^9/L range: .12-1.20 EOSINO# 0.26 * 10^9/L range: .20-.50 BASO# 0.03 * 10^9/L range: .10 RBC 4.19 * 10^12/L range: 4-6 HGB 12.50 G/dL range: 12-16 MCHC 33.20 g/dL range: 31-36 MCH 29.80 pg range: 27-32 MCV 89.80 fL range: 78-99 RDW-CV 11.20 range: 11-14 HCT 37.60 range: 37-47 PLT 176 * 10^9/L range: 150-400 I just want to note that I traveled to India on the 20th of March, and returned to Saudi Arabia on the 29th. I did have a little bit of sickness in India, but not much. Mostly constipation and a little bit of diarrhea. After I returned on the 29th, I felt more sick that night. The next day, I felt terrible. Unfocused, diarrhea, sweating..I saw the doctor that night (30th) and have been taking the antibiotics since.

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Travelers Diarrhea Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. Hi , I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern. Let me tell you very clearly that only rising titres of Widal are suggestive of typhoid fever. Because we eat a lot outside, we get a many times subclinical infection with Salmonella Typhi, that is not symptomatic, but produces antibodies, that can be detected in Widal test even for many weeks. Since you don't have any fever. There are almost nil chances that you have Typhoid. Your history is classically suggestive of Traveler's Diarrhea or Abdominal Upset due to eating outside. In such cases, i advice antibiotics if diarrhea is still persisting. You might take a combination of Ofloxacin and Tinidazole. Also, you should take a Probiotic like Bifilac. Consume lots of fluids and Oral Rehydration Solution. If your weakness persists even after these medications, you should get a Liver Function Test done. This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any query you may please ask me. Stay Healthy. Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

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

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (4 minutes later)

Can you please take a look at the CBC results and see if the high count of the MONO % is something to worry about? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Detail Follows Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. I had already noticed that but did not comment because that is not significant. It can rise slightly in an infection especially Atypical ones. Since you don't have a fever we are not worried at present for them. Once you have recovered , you can get a repeat test done, if still they persist or increase, we will do work up for that. However, in case you have any fever, you might also discuss with your doctor for taking Doxycycline to cover any atypical infection that can cause these symptoms. But any atypical infection almost always presents with fever. That's why i am not worried for that. If you have any further query, please ask me, else you may please close the discussion and rate it!

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