Widal Test (Typhoid)
Also known as: Typhoid test, Typhoid fever test, typhoid ka test, miyadi bukhar test
Measures antibodies against Salmonella Typhi (the bacteria that cause typhoid) by mixing your blood with bacterial antigens.
Why it's ordered
Widely ordered in Pakistan when typhoid is suspected — but it is an unreliable test.
Preparation
No preparation needed.
Typical adult values
| How results are shown | Titres such as 1:80, 1:160 for O and H antigens |
|---|
Ranges vary between labs and methods. Always use the range printed on your report.
If it's positive / reactive
A 'positive' single Widal result does NOT confirm typhoid. People in areas where typhoid is common often have antibodies from past exposure or vaccination, and other infections can cross-react.
Good to know
A blood culture is the reliable test for typhoid, ideally taken before antibiotics start. It also shows which antibiotics work — essential in Pakistan, where extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid has spread since 2016. The WHO does not recommend relying on Widal alone.
Common questions
Does a positive Widal confirm typhoid?
No. A single 'positive' Widal result does not confirm typhoid. People in areas where typhoid is common often have antibodies from past exposure or vaccination, and other infections can cross-react.
Does a Widal of 1:160 mean typhoid?
Not by itself. Results are shown as titres such as 1:160, and a single 'positive' result does not confirm typhoid. Always use the range printed on your report.
What is the reliable test for typhoid?
A blood culture is the reliable test for typhoid, ideally taken before antibiotics start. It also shows which antibiotics work.
Does the WHO recommend the Widal test?
The WHO does not recommend relying on Widal alone.