Malaria Test (Thick Smear & RDT)
Malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death among young children and pregnant women in Cameroon. Its symptoms, such as fever, headache, chills and vomiting, look like those of many other infections, so a test is needed to confirm it before treatment. Testing avoids unnecessary medicines and ensures that other causes of fever are not missed.
At YGOPH, malaria is diagnosed with a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or by microscopy of a thick and thin blood smear, which also measures how many parasites are in the blood. Samples are processed around the clock. For children under five enrolled in the universal health coverage (CSU) scheme, the diagnosis and treatment of malaria may be covered; ask at admissions.
What is a malaria test?
A rapid diagnostic test uses a drop of blood from a finger prick and detects malaria proteins (antigens) in about 15 to 20 minutes. The thick blood smear, stained and examined under the microscope by a trained technician, is the reference method: it shows the parasites directly, allows them to be counted and, with the thin smear, identifies the species. Parasite counts help doctors judge severity and follow the response to treatment.
- Any fever in a child, especially under five years of age
- Fever, headache or chills in a pregnant woman
- Vomiting, convulsions, drowsiness or severe weakness
- Unexplained anaemia or jaundice
- Checking the response to treatment in severe malaria
Good to know
Rapid diagnostic test (RDT)
RDTs are quick and reliable for Plasmodium falciparum, the species responsible for most malaria in Cameroon. However, they can remain positive for several weeks after successful treatment, because the protein they detect persists in the blood. A positive RDT in someone recently treated therefore needs careful interpretation, often with a blood smear.
Thick and thin blood smear
The smear shows whether parasites are present and how many there are, which a rapid test cannot do. In severe malaria, repeated smears show whether the parasite count is falling with treatment. A negative smear in a person with ongoing fever may be repeated, and other causes of fever are looked for.
Malaria in pregnancy
Malaria in pregnancy can cause severe anaemia in the mother, miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm birth. Pregnant women with fever should be tested promptly. Prevention includes sleeping every night under an insecticide-treated net and taking the preventive treatment offered during antenatal visits.