Testing for Dormant Malaria

September 17, 2012 by Malaria Q&A

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 as serology, which looks for the body’s antibodies against malaria. These are proteins produced by the immune system when the patient becomes infected with malaria. These antibodies are specific to the type of malaria the person was infected with, and can persist for many months and even years. As such, if a patient was infected with one of the types of malaria which can become dormant (i.e. P. vivax and P. ovale), a serology test might be able to tell whether the patient had ever been infected with one of these two types, and then suggest that they might continue to have a dormant infection.

Empty Stomach for Malaria Test?

August 16, 2012 by Malaria Q&A

QUESTION

Do we have to go empty stomach for test of malaria?

ANSWER

No – for a malaria test, they will take your blood and either look at it under the microscope or use it in a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria. Neither of these tests will be affected by whether you eat or not.

Headaches, Sweats, Nausea, Fatigue

March 27, 2012 by Malaria Q&A

QUESTION

Since visiting Gambia I have been off food, suffering from headaches, sweats, nausea, tiredness and diarrhea after every meal, when I can eat that is. Do you think I should go to the doctor for a test for malaria?

ANSWER

Yes—whenever you have symptoms that include fever and sweats after visiting an area of high malaria transmission, it is always worthwhile getting a malaria test. With a positive diagnosis, the doctor can find out what type of malaria you have and then give you the most appropriate treatment. If the test is negative, the doctor is then able to look for other possible causes of your symptoms, such as an intestinal parasitic infection or some other illness.