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 Test

Book Widal Test Test

Answered 16/09/2025

More WIDAL TEST (TUBE METHOD) Health Queries

View all

I have been recovering from typhoid for the past two weeks and am feeling much better now. However, my recent blood test shows the following Widal test result Patient sera found reactive to Salmonella antigens O and H in the following dilutions. Impression is Titre Insignificant Could you please explain what this means?

Answered by Apollo Doctors

This is my Widal test report. S. typhi (O) is 1:40. S. typhi (H) is 1:40. S. paratyphi (AH) shows no agglutination. S. paratyphi (BH) shows no agglutination. Remark: Negative Widal test. Is this normal?

Answered by Apollo Doctors

My wife was diagnosed with typhoid fever 3 days ago, but she has been ill for the past week. The doctor prescribed Taximo 400 twice daily and Calpol 650 for fever. However, her fever has remained steady between 101 to 104F for the last 3 days. I am attaching the test report. Could you please advise if we need to worry or consider changing the medication? The doctor mentioned that this might be a rare type of typhoid.

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.