How is malaria diagnosed?

Your provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms and travel history. It’s important to share information about the countries you’ve visited recently so that your provider can clearly understand your risk.

To confirm a malaria diagnosis, your provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab to check for malaria parasites. The blood test will indicate whether or not you have malaria and will also identify the type of parasite that’s causing your symptoms. This information helps your provider determine the right treatment.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/20/2020.

References

  • Merck Manuals. Malaria. Accessed 8/20/2020.
  • Centers for Disease Control. Malaria. Accessed 8/20/2020.
  • National Organization for Rare Disorders. Malaria. Accessed 8/20/2020.

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