Widal Test (Slide Method) in Coimbatore - Price & Details

You can rely on PharmEasy Labs in Coimbatore for a top-notch diagnostic experience marked by expertise and compassion. With a focus on precision and dependability, PharmEasy Labs is your go-to option for crucial tests such as the Widal test, performed using the slide method.

Typhoid is a severe and potentially life-threatening illness caused by bacteria in the bloodstream and the intestinal tract. It is often diagnosed using a blood test called the Widal test or Typhidot test. This test quickly checks for Typhoid and is performed using the slide method. When we mix a patient's blood sample with typhoid antibodies, we look for clumping (agglutination), which signals the presence of typhoid bacteria.

Conducting the Widal (Slide Method) test would go as follows:

• Collect a blood sample from the patient and let it form a clot.
• After clotting, use a centrifuge to separate the serum from the blood cells.
• Place a drop of the serum on a clean glass slide, and make sure to label it with the patient's name and the test date.
• Add a drop of an antigen solution, containing inactivated Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi, to the serum drop.
• Thoroughly mix the two drops using a clean toothpick or glass rod.
• Gently rotate the slide for 4 minutes, allowing the bacteria to clump together (agglutinate).
• Examine the slide under a microscope at 40x magnification to check for agglutination, which indicates a positive result.

The Widal test is used to identify Typhoid or paratyphoid infections based on specific symptoms such as headaches, stomach discomfort, vomiting, nausea, rash, abdominal swelling, bowel irregularities, sweating, weakness, fatigue, muscle aches, dry cough, and weight loss. Left untreated, Typhoid can progress, causing restlessness, irritability, extreme fatigue, and a condition known as the "typhoid state." In the early stages, Typhoid symptoms may resemble those of other illnesses, with abdominal pain, fever, and a general sense of unwellness.

As Typhoid fever advances, symptoms often include a high fever, persistent headaches, abdominal discomfort, constipation, and possibly diarrhea, along with the appearance of rose-coloured spots on the abdomen or chest. This is accompanied by a further loss of appetite and increased weakness. Additional symptoms of Typhoid, also called Widal fever, encompass body pains, blood in the stools, chills, severe fatigue, difficulty concentrating, as well as agitation, confusion, and hallucinations.

You do not need to fast for a Widal Test (slide method), so you can maintain your regular eating and drinking habits. While there is no specific preparation necessary for the Widal blood test, your healthcare provider might recommend avoiding certain medications or foods before the test.

During the Widal Test

At PharmEasy, we prioritise both care and precision throughout the diagnostic process. Our skilled phlebotomists use vein finders to guarantee accurate and comfortable blood sample collection, striving to make the experience as seamless as possible for the patient. The blood sampling procedure for a Widal test is similar to standard blood tests, with a phlebotomist collecting blood from the arm vein while adhering to aseptic precautions. This process typically takes just 5 minutes.