How Is Malaria Diagnosed?
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to diagnose malaria. During your appointment, your doctor will review your health history, including any recent travel to tropical climates. A physical exam will also be performed. Your doctor will be able to determine if you have an enlarged spleen or liver. If you have symptoms of malaria, your doctor may order additional blood tests to confirm your diagnosis. These tests will show:
whether or not you have malaria
what type of malaria you have
if your infection is caused by a parasite that’s resistant to certain types of drugs
if the disease has caused anemia
if the disease has affected your vital organs
Part 5 of 8
Life-Threatening Complications of Malaria
Complications Icon
Malaria can cause a number of life-threatening complications. The following may occur:
swelling of the blood vessels of the brain, or cerebral malaria
an accumulation of fluid in the lungs that causes breathing problems, or pulmonary edema
organ failure of the kidneys, liver, or spleen
anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells
low blood sugar