Doctors use thick and thin blood smears to determine whether you
have malaria. If one test is negative and no parasites are
found, you will have repeated blood smears every 8 hours for a
couple of days to confirm that there is no malaria infection.
Blood smears are taken most often from a finger prick. Thick and
thin blood smears will let doctors know the percentage of red
blood cells that are infected (parasite density) and what type
of parasites are present. To date, microscopic examination of
thick and thin blood smears is the easiest and most reliable
test for malaria. Results of thick and thin blood smears may
show: No parasites are present in red blood cells. Your doctor
will repeat the test every 8 hours for 1 or 2 days if he or she
still suspects that you have malaria. Parasites are present in
red blood cells. The infecting species of Plasmodium is
identified. Also, the percentage of red blood cells infected by
the Plasmodium parasite (density) is determined. Treatment may
vary depending on the: Blood