Peripheral Blood Smear for Malarial Parasite (PS for MP)
Peripheral Blood Smear for Malarial Parasite (PS for MP)
Peripheral blood smear test looks for the presence of the malarial parasite (plasmodium) in your blood. Malaria is an infection that is parasitic in origin and occurs when an infected mosquito bites a healthy individual. Malaria usually causes severe symptoms like high fever and chills. Malaria is curable if detected and treated quickly. Thus, getting a peripheral blood smear for a malarial parasite is recommended to detect malarial infection early and prevent life-threatening conditions like internal bleeding, liver failure, renal failure, etc.
The peripheral blood smear test determines whether a malarial parasite is present in your blood or not. People with positive plasmodium parasites indicate the presence of a malarial infection in their blood. A peripheral blood smear test is used as a screening tool for the early detection and monitoring of malarial fever.
Malarial parasite test is also known as Malarial Parasite Smear, PBS for MP, PBS for MP Smear Blood test.
Symptoms of Malaria
The common symptoms of malaria include:
High Fever
Chills
Fatigue
Headache
Body aches
Nausea and vomiting
Bloody stools
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Seizures
Who should get tested?
Peripheral Blood Smear for a Malarial Parasite is recommended in the following cases:
Having symptoms of malarial fever
Recent travel to a tropical or sub-tropical country
Test preparation:
No special preparation is required before the peripheral blood smear for a malarial parasite. Make sure your healthcare provider is aware of your medications before the test.
Interpretation of results
Positive test result
If you have a positive result for the peripheral blood smear of the malarial parasite, it means that malarial parasites were found in your sample. Your healthcare provider will prescribe medications based on your age, the severity of your malaria symptoms, and whether you are pregnant. In most instances, malaria can be cured if it is treated early.
Negative test result
A negative result for the peripheral blood smear of the malarial parasite suggests that no malarial parasites were found in your sample.
Retesting can be necessary if your findings were negative but you are still experiencing malaria symptoms. Malaria parasite counts can occasionally change. Therefore, during the course of two to three days, your doctor can ask for blood smears every 12 to 24 hours. It's important to determine whether you have malaria so that you can start treatment right away
FAQs
How is a peripheral blood smear for a malarial parasite performed?
During this blood test, a healthcare professional will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a small needle, which is then collected in a test tube or vial. This usually takes no longer than five minutes
What are the risks involved in a peripheral blood smear for a malarial parasite?
This test involves negligible risk. During a blood test, one may experience minor pain or bruising where the needle was inserted, but most symptoms will subside quickly
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the result of a peripheral blood smear for a malarial parasite?
A peripheral blood smear for a malarial parasite test result is usually available within the same day the sample was taken, although it could take longer at times
Can malaria fever be transmitted from an infected person to a normal person?
Person-to-person contact or exposure to respiratory secretions does not spread the virus. The infection spreads when a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites a healthy person. Rarely, it may be passed from mother to foetus, through organ donation or blood transfusions
What further tests might I require if I have an abnormal peripheral blood smear test result?
1. A rapid diagnostic test for malaria may also be performed. In some cases, additional blood tests may be required to look for malaria-related problems. Your doctor will probably recommend:
· Complete blood count
· Tests that detect electrolyte levels
· Kidney and liver function tests
Related tests
Tests At Lupin Diagnostics