What is Weil Felix Test?
The Weil-Felix test detects typhus and specific rickettsial infections. Rickettsia is bacteria transmitted by ticks, fleas, lice and is the root of diseases in human beings. Rickettsial disease comprises a set of diseases caused by the microorganisms like typhus, rickettsialpox, Boutonneuse fever, African tick bite fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Australian Tick Typhus, Flinders Island Spotted Fever, Queensland tick typhus, Q fever, southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), ehrlichiosis, and tularemia. The Weil Felix treatment would depend upon the nature and severity of the infection.
Diagnosis of Rickettsia is done with the help of an agglutination test, Weil Felix. Over the years it has been one of the most extensively used diagnostic procedures for detecting the infection. The basis of the Weil Felix test positive is to detect the anti-rickettsial antibodies present in the patient’s serum sample.
Why Get Tested?
The Weil Felix test assesses the existence of rickettsia and varieties of rickettsial disease without specifications of species.
Reason To Take Weil Felix Test Test
Some of the initial Weil Felix symptoms include:
- Lack of appetite, Headache
- Backache, Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- A severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Swelling of the parotid glands (behind the ear) Later signs and symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain Skin Lesions
- Maculopapular rash
- Petechial rashes
Preparations Needed For Weil Felix Test Test
Preparatory instructions before the test *include:
- No Fasting Required. No other special preparations are required.
Sample Required?
Specimen type: Serum (Blood Sample),
Specimen collection procedure: Venipuncture - Collection of blood from a vein, usually from the arm.
