Test guide
Malaria Tests
Malaria tests look for signs of a malaria infection in a sample of your blood. These infections are caused by malaria parasites , which are tiny single-celled life forms. There are several types of these parasites.
What it is for
Malaria tests are used to diagnose malaria and tell which of the different types of malaria you have. These include: Your provider will usually order more than one of these tests. They may also order other blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) , to see if a malaria infection has caused any additional health problems. What tests they order will depend on your symptoms. Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Medical test information is public domain. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Limitations
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also known as
- malaria blood smear, malaria rapid diagnostic test, malaria by PCR
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