Hello Doctor,
Are there any specific tests or screenings that should be done to assess the extent of typhoid infection and monitor its progress?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
1. To Assess the extent of a typhoid infection and monitor its progress, there are a few key tests available.
2. The most common tests include an antibody test, which involves drawing blood to check for antibodies against the bacteria, or a typhoid antigen test, which uses stool samples to detect active infection.
3. A stool culture is another option, where a sample of stool is cultured to identify the presence of Salmonella typhi, the bacteria responsible for typhoid fever.
4. It’s important to note that the antibody test can remain positive even after treatment, so it's not always the most reliable indicator for monitoring the infection’s current state.
5. Ideally, an antigen test or stool culture is used to detect a new or ongoing Salmonella infection, as they provide more accurate results for active cases.
6. However, all of these tests require that you have completed your antibiotic treatment and have been off antibiotics for at least two weeks. Among these, the stool culture is considered the gold standard for confirming a current infection.
Thanks
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