Question

Widal test is performed for
A. Malarial fever
B. Cholera
C. Typhoid fever
D. Dengue fever

Answer 1

Hint:
Proper diagnosis of any diseases is must in order to treat it. The Widal test is most commonly done to detect the bacterial diseases. The bacteria are one of the most dominant pathogens. Cholera and typhoid are bacterial diseases while malaria and dengue fever are the protozoan and viral diseases respectively.

Complete answer:
A Widal test is performed for the diagnosis of typhoid fever. This test helps in detecting typhoid causing bacteria present in the bloodstream. It is an agglutination test that detects the presence of serum antibodies against the bacteria Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi.
People who are infected with these enteric bacteria develop antibodies against either somatic antigen (O) or flagellar antigen (H). If the antibodies from the serum are made to react with the antigens, an agglutination reaction is observed, hence indicating the presence of the bacteria.

Additional information:
TEST TO DIAGNOSE CHOLERA:
Cholera is a bacterial infection that is diagnosed through a stool sample or a rectal swab. However, in remote areas, doctors use Rapid cholera dipstick tests to diagnose cholera.
TEST TO DIAGNOSE MALARIAL FEVER
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted via the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. Various tests are employed to detect malaria; however, the most commonly used method is the microscopic analysis of a blood smear.
TEST TO DIAGNOSE DENGUE
Dengue is a viral infection that is transmitted through mosquitoes. It can be diagnosed through Dengue Virus Antigen Detection – NS1 detection. There are various other tests that can be employed to detect dengue fever, however, the results of most of the tests are declared after a few days which can lead to further complications in the patient.

Note: Widal test is a test that is carried out to diagnose enteric fever that is caused by the enteric bacteria Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi. This bacterial infection spreads through contaminated food and water and also through contact with an infected person. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications.