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

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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.

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Take a Widal Test Test

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Answered 16/09/2025

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