Malarial Smear

About This Test
A microscopic examination of your blood to look directly for malaria parasites (Plasmodium). A drop of blood is spread on a slide (thick and thin films) and checked for the presence, type, and amount of parasites. It’s the gold-standard test to confirm malaria and helps guide the right treatment. This test is commonly included in targeted evaluations of fever after travel or mosquito exposure.

Patient Preparation
No fasting needed

Best Time to Test
Anytime (ideally during or just before a fever spike)

Tests Included
Malarial Smear

Why is it done
Sudden fever with chills/sweats, headache, or fatigue—especially after travel or residence in malaria-endemic areas; distinguishing malaria from other tropical fevers; establishing disease severity to guide drug choice and dosing; monitoring parasite clearance during treatment.