QUESTION When malaria is dormant in the body can it be detected in a blood test? ANSWER Not directly, no. A normal malaria blood test consists of a thick or thin smear, which is often stained and then looked at under a microscope; with these tests, you would not be able to see any sign of the malaria which is lying dormant in the liver. However, there is another type of blood test, known … [Read more...]
Diagnostic Blood Test: Malaria in Nepal and India
QUESTION My daughter has returned from a 6 week trip to Nepal and then India. About 20 minutes into the flight home she developed pains and aches in her hips and legs, fever, generally feeling dreadful but no nausea or diarrhea. When she arrived after the 10 hour flight her temperature was 100.5. We were concerned about malaria, but when she saw her primary care doctor the next morning she … [Read more...]
Test for Malaria?
QUESTION Is there a way to verify that someone has had malaria? I had symptoms that were treated with only 10 days of proper 14 days prescription and had a relapse a year later. Have felt weak and keep my drinking to a very light level as a result. Is there test that can be taken to verify having/had plasmodium vivax? ANSWER The best way to test for relapsing malaria (i.e. Plasmodium … [Read more...]
Late Malaria Confirmation
QUESTION I was given a field diagnosis of malaria 1 1/2years ago and was treated. Can I still get a blood test to confirm if I truly had malaria? ANSWER That's a very interesting question, and the answer is: it depends. Since you were treated, you will no longer have the parasites in your blood stream, and so you cannot use a traditional blood film, looked at under a microscrope, which is … [Read more...]