I started having a fever, and since then, my doctor has been prescribing antibiotics. My question is whether consuming antibiotics for the past 9 days will affect the results of the Widal test. Can positive results turn into false negatives after taking antibiotics?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Bhanu Prakash

General Practitioner

MBBS
AFIH
Advanced certificate in critical care medicine
Fellowship in critical care medicine
10+ Yrs

Consult Now

Yes, antibiotics can suppress antibody levels and cause false negative results. If needed, repeat WIDAL after stopping antibiotics. Please take a WIDAL test post antibiotic window.

Dr. Bhanu Suggests...

Take a WIDAL TEST (SLIDE METHOD ) Test

Book WIDAL TEST (SLIDE METHOD ) Test

Answered 16/09/2025

More WIDAL TEST (TUBE METHOD) Health Queries

View all

Hi Doctor, I traveled for a whole day without sleep, and the next day I felt very weak, with body heat, mild cold, and body pains. My temperature was normal. I took Dolo 650 and a painkiller for three days, but I still feel irregular body heat (without fever). My blood report shows: O and H is 1:80 AH and BH is 1:40 Please suggest what I should do

Answered by Apollo Doctors

Can COVID 19 cause a false positive typhoid result? Please clear my doubt. Today, I was confirmed typhoid positive. Here is my report.

Answered by Apollo Doctors

My widal test report of typhoid is typhi O 1:40 and typhi H 1:160. What does this mean?

Answered by Apollo Doctors

Disclaimer: Answers on Apollo 247 are not intended to replace your doctor advice. Always seek help of a professional doctor in case of an medical emergency or ailment.