Weil Felix Test- Price, Purpose, Preparation, Range, & More

Table of Content

Introduction to Weil Felix Test

The Weil Felix test detects anti-rickettsial antibodies in your serum. When infected with rickettsia, your serum will agglutinate with proteus antigen suspensions. Bacteria that are transferred through the bite of infected lice, fleas, ticks, or mites cause rickettsial infection. The symptoms are usually mild and difficult to diagnose. However, late recognition may lead to severe complications, such as multi-organ failure. 

1916 was the first time the Weil-Felix test was used to diagnose rickettsial infection. Although doctors are switching to new serological techniques, the Weil-Felix test holds significant importance. The test detects antibodies to rickettsial infection by building a cross-reaction between antibodies and antigens from the OX strains of the proteus bacteria. 

Two types of OX19 agglutinin formation occur in patients suffering from louse-borne typhus. These two types have a clinical relationship and help explain the logical formation of the Weil Felix blood test. If you have frequent headaches or fever, you may be infected with Rickettsial disease. Redcliffe Labs offers the Weil Felix test. We are a leading diagnostic lab with services available across India. 

Test Details in Detail 

What is The Purpose of the Weil Felix test?

The Weil Felix test's main purpose is to detect Rickettsia bacterial infection. These bacteria can potentially induce various diseases, including pox, typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, Australian tick typhus, and Ehrlichiosis. The test can also detect: 

• An underlying disease
• Rickettsial infection 
• Anti-rickettsial antibodies 
• Severity and type of infection
• Disease by rickettsial infection 
• Type of infection 

What Does The Weil Felix Test Measure?

The Weil Felix test measures a particular antibody your body forms to fight against the Rickettsia bacterial infection. It also helps detect antibodies and identify the bacterial infection in your body. 

What is the Weil Felix test Used For?

The Weil Felix test can be used for detecting: 

• Rickettsial infection 
• Rickettsial-infected diseases
• Anti-rickettsial antibodies in your blood 
• Agglutinins that clump together and cause visible changes 
• Several diseases caused by proteus and rickettsia bacteria
• Antibodies against some specific types of bacteria 
• The presence of certain bacteria in your blood
• Identify agglutinins-proteins released from your immune system 
• Causes of typhoid fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and pneumonia. 

What Does The Weil Felix Test Done For?

The Weil Felix test is mainly used to detect the Rickettsia bacteria. However, the test can also detect: 

• Rickettsia infection
• Appropriate treatment for rickettsia 
• The effectiveness of the treatment
• A suspected case of rickettsia
• The seriousness of the rickettsia infection. 

Symptoms Showing The Need For Weil Felix test

The Weil Felix blood test identifies Rickettsia bacteria's symptoms and underlying disease. Initially, the symptoms are mild. However, they might become strong and contiguous in the long run. Some symptoms of Weil-Felix include: 

• Backache 
• Fever 
• Headache
• Lack of appetite 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Muscle pain 
• Joint pain 
• Skin rashes 
• Petechial rashes 
• Myalgia 
• People with symptoms of malaria, dengue, enteric fever, and leptospirosis

Why Should You Take The Weil Felix Test?

There are certain reasons you should take the Weil Felix test. These are: 

• To identify diseases such as typhus or Rocky Mountain spotted fever spread by Rickettsia bacteria. 
• If, in the past, you were exposed to fleas or ticks. 
• If you feel a recurrence of fever, rash, or headache.
• In case an advanced diagnostic method is not available. 
• To detect diseases or bacterial infections early and provide timely treatment. 
• To prevent infection and complications of Rickettsial infection.
• If you have been prone to an area where Rickettsial infections are common. 

Why Can A Doctor Recommend You The Weil Felix Test?

You should take the Weil Felix test if you see the above symptoms. However, your doctor may recommend the blood test: 

• If they see symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, or headache,
• If you have come into contact with infected mites or have traveled to areas with the infection. 
• To diagnose infection transferred through rickettsia and proteus bacteria
• If they see signs of pneumonia. 
• If they spot typhoid and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, 
• Your doctor may prescribe the Weil Felix test if you need more access to advanced technology. 

Benefits of Booking The Weil Felix test From Redcliffe Labs.

Redcliffe Labs provides an early and home sample collection service. We are an omnichannel diagnostic lab that helps evaluate your situation. We aim to provide quality diagnosis services to every Indian. 

All our labs follow NABL and ISO guidelines to surpass complications and provide 100% report correctness. With every test worth INR 999, you can avail yourself of a personalized diet chart, health progress report, and report consultation. 

By testing early, you can gain the benefits of early diagnosis, which include accurate results, prompt treatment, and prevention of infection transmission. 

How To Book The Weil Felix Test from Redcliffe Labs?

Booking the Weil Felix test from Redcliffe Labs takes a couple of minutes. You can book the test from our website or a mobile app, which is available for both Play Store and App Store. The steps to book the Weil Felix test are as follows: 

• Search on our website for ‘Wein-Felix test from Redcliffe Labs.’ 
• You will see our website; click on it. 
• Click on Add to cart. 
• Click on ‘view cart.’ 
• Click on ‘Next’ and fill out all the required details, including patients, address, and payment. 
• Our phlebotomists will visit your place to collect the sample at your selected time and place. 
• The procedure is the same for mobile apps. Visit the App Store or Play Store, search for our app, and download it. 

We have 80+ owned advanced labs across India. You can search for ‘Redcliffe Labs near me,’ and you will find our lab nearest you. You can also visit our lab and get yourself tested. 

Preparation for The Weil Felix test 

The Weil Felix test is a diagnostic test that requires no major preparation. However, to prevent report hindrance, follow certain guidelines to have correct reports.

• Give all the information before the Weil Felix test to help your doctor appropriately treat you. 
• Eat a normal, balanced, and healthy diet a day before the test. Consult your doctor for a better understanding. 
• Keep yourself hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily. Proper hydration also helps with digestion. 
• Clear all your doubts with your doctor before the test. 
• The test may cause stress. Try to avoid it by practicing deep breathing exercises. 
• Practice yoga, meditation, and stress management practices. 
• Only take prescribed medications to have correct results. 
• If you are already taking a medicine, consult your doctor to stop or continue with the undergoing medication treatment. 
• Avoid wearing a long-sleeve shirt at the time of the test. 

Procedure for The Weil Felix test 

Redcliffe Labs offers the Weil Felix blood test to detect the presence of Rickettsia bacteria. The Weil Felix test price is INR 900. Our phlebotomist will visit your home to collect samples. The procedure they will follow includes: 

• Get ready to use adhesive tape to find veins. 
• Once they locate a vein, they will clean the site with an alcoholic substance to prevent infections.
• After cleaning, they insert a sterile syringe to collect the required blood sample. 
• Transfer the collected blood to a container. 
• They will put a cotton ball on the punctured site to prevent bleeding. 
• Label the container with your details, like name, time, date, and place of sample collection. 
• The process will take a couple of minutes to complete. 
• Our phlebotomist will transfer the blood sample to the lab for testing. 
• You will receive your reports within four days. 

Testing Procedure of The Weil Felix test 

The procedure involves collecting blood samples, which are later transferred to a tube and sent in for analysis. The lab uses two methods: slide and tube analysis. 

Slide Method: They place a small amount of blood sample on the slide, after which they add a selected antigen to it. Next up, they rotate the consequential postponement for a minute. If the slide results in visible agglutination, the results are positive. 

Tube Method: In a tube, the lab technician adds a twofold dilution of the serum sample with diluents (0.25% phenol saline). Then, the lab technician added antigen deferment and incubated it for four to six hours at 50 to 55 degrees Celsius. If there is a visible flocculation, it means you have positive results. 

Risks Associated with The Weil Felix Test

The Weil Felix blood test has no major risk. However, the phlebotomist inserts a syringe to collect the blood sample. You may experience: 

• Slight pain 
• Feeling of pinch 
• Blood loss
• Bleeding 
• Hematoma 
• Weakness 
• Fatigue 
• Blood clot 
• Blood disorder (in very rare cases) 

Understanding The Weil Felix Test Results 

The Weil Felix test is a blood test that detects the presence of bacteria that causes rickettsial infection. It uses Proteus OX2, Proteun OX19, and Proteus OXK antigen suspensions. 

The Weil Felix test normal range is 1:80 or less. If your result lies in this range, you don’t have any antibodies for the rickettsial agent and are negative. Any range above or below indicates a positive outcome. However, it doesn't necessarily show that you have an active infection. 

False-negative results can only be possible if you’re tested too soon or received antibodies right before the test. Your healthcare provider may recommend other tests to help in an easy diagnosis and interpretation of results. They might also look at your family history, medical history, and other medical factors before diagnosing. 

Factors Affecting the Weil Felix Test Results 

• Timing 
• Medication 
• Age 
• Gender 
• Alcohol consumption, especially before the test
• Certain medical drugs
• Taking antibiotics before the test 
• Early exposure to the illness

What Other Tests Can Your Doctor Recommend Along With The Weil Felix test?

The Weil-Felix test is an important diagnostic test in itself. It detects the presence of typhus and Rickettsial infection. Your doctor may recommend a screening test, ELISA, immunofluorescence, or western blot to detect the bacterial infection. 

Weil Felix test Price @ Redcliffe Labs! 

The Weil Felix test price is INR 900 at Redcliffe Labs. We offer 3600+ tests at an affordable price, and we offer a home sample collection service. The price includes booking, testing, transporting, and results. 50,000+ doctors trust us, and over 600,000 satisfied customers. 

Our labs know and utilize the latest technology to provide quality diagnoses to every Indian. We provide comprehensive tests, including normal or genetic testing. With every test value above 999, we offer the value benefit of a personalized diet, health progress report, and report consultations. 

Weil Felix Test Cost in Different Cities - Redcliffe Labs

Note: We also offer Weil Felix Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of our services in your area.

Don’t Ignore The Symptoms and Take The Test From Redcliffe Labs! 

If Rickettsial bacteria infect you, you may experience severe headaches, fever, nausea, and loss of appetite. These signs are mild initially but can become severe infections over time. To prevent the risks of infections, book the Weil Felix blood test from Redcliffe Labs. The Weil Felix test price is INR 900, affordable and at a home sample collection service. 

We are available in 220+ cities, with 80+ labs and 2000+ collection centers across India. Our goal is to make quality diagnostic services available to every Indian. We regularly undergo 50+ internal and external quality control checks. So, if you see signs or symptoms of Rickettsial bacteria, book the Wein-Felix test from Redcliffe Labs today.