This is an urgent request. Please note on request form which tropical or subtropical areas the patient has travelled in. Also note any anti-Malarial medication taken. Please place in a RED bag so that priority is given as malaria is generally considered urgent. Thick and thin films are made in the laboratory from EDTA specimen..
GENERAL NOTES
Thick and thin smears are prepared. Thick smears are useful for DIAGNOSIS of malaria while thin smears are useful for SPECIES IDENTIFICATION. When there is a strong clinical suspicion of malaria but initial films are negative, repeat films should be made and examined after 12 – 24 hours and again after a further 24 hours.