Malaria Tests
Reviewed
Also called: Malaria blood smear, Malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT), Malaria by PCR
Malaria tests are used to diagnose malaria, a serious disease caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites. Testing involves a blood sample, and results can be negative (no parasites found) or positive (malaria confirmed). A negative result may require repeat testing, while a positive result leads to prompt treatment. The test can identify the type of parasite, which is important for choosing the right treatment.
Specimen: Blood
Urgent safety information
If you have symptoms of malaria and have recently been in an area where malaria is common, seek medical attention promptly. Without treatment, malaria can quickly become life-threatening.
Why this test may be ordered
- You have symptoms of malaria (fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting) and have recently been in parts of the world where malaria is common.
- To help control the spread of the disease by identifying infected individuals so they can be treated before mosquitoes become infected by biting them.
Preparation and collection
No special preparations needed.
Blood sample from a vein in your arm.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
Malaria tests look for signs of a malaria infection in a sample of your blood. Results help diagnose malaria and identify the type of parasite, which guides treatment.
- Negative: No signs of malaria parasites were found in your blood sample. Limitation: A negative result does not rule out malaria because the number of parasites in your blood can vary over time. If you have a negative result, more blood samples are usually taken every 12–24 hours for a total of 3 sets of tests. If all are negative, you probably don't have malaria. Next step: If your provider still suspects malaria, they may recommend repeat testing or start treatment based on strong clinical suspicion.
- Positive: You have malaria. Limitation: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) cannot accurately show which type of malaria parasite you have, so a blood smear is also needed to guide treatment. Next step: Your provider will prescribe medicine right away. The medicine depends on the type of parasite, drug resistance, your symptoms and medical history, and whether you are pregnant.
- A negative result does not rule out malaria because the number of parasites in your blood can vary over time.
- Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) cannot accurately show which type of malaria parasite you have, which affects treatment decisions.
- If initial tests are negative, repeat blood samples are usually taken every 12–24 hours for a total of 3 sets of tests.
What to do next
If positive, your healthcare provider will prescribe medicine based on the type of parasite, drug resistance, your symptoms and medical history, and whether you are pregnant. When treated early, malaria can usually be cured. If your provider strongly suspects a serious case, treatment may begin before test results confirm the disease.
- Have you traveled to an area where malaria is common in the past 12 months?
- Do you have symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, nausea, or vomiting?
- Do your symptoms come and go every two or three days?
- Have you had a blood transfusion, organ transplant, or shared needles recently?