What investigation that can be done to confirm malaria
To confirm the presence of malaria, several investigations can be done, including:
1. Blood smear examination: This is the most commonly used method to confirm malaria. A thin and thick blood smear is prepared and stained with specific dyes to visualize the malaria parasites under a microscope. The species of the malaria parasite can also be identified using this method.
2. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): These are simple and quick tests that detect specific antigens or proteins produced by malaria parasites in a patient's blood. RDTs are easy to use and provide results within 15-20 minutes.
3. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR is a highly sensitive and specific molecular technique that detects and amplifies specific DNA or RNA sequences of the malaria parasite. PCR can confirm the presence of malaria parasites, differentiate between different species, and determine the level of parasite in the blood.
4. Serological tests: These tests detect specific antibodies produced by the body's immune response to the malaria parasite. However, serological tests are not usually used to diagnose acute malaria as they cannot distinguish between a current infection and a past infection.
It is important to note that if there is a clinical suspicion of malaria, treatment should not be delayed while waiting for confirmatory test results, as prompt treatment is crucial to prevent complications and further spread of the disease.