Malaria Vivax Antigen Test

Malaria Vivax antigen Test Overview

Malaria is caused by mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium / malarial parasite. A malaria vivax antigen test is done to check for plasmodium vivax in the bloodstream. The goal of this test is to detect the patient’s blood for proteins produced by the plasmodium vivax parasite which are markers of malaria infection. This test can be used to diagnose malaria infection in patients independently.

The plasmodium vivax antigen test is prescribed to patients based on symptoms and as such is not optional in most cases. This test can, however, be also recommended as a screening test for individuals in malaria prone areas.

When is the Malaria Antigen Test prescribed?

The malaria test is prescribed to patients showing symptoms and resemble that of malaria. This includes symptoms like:

• Fever

• Chills and sweats

• Muscle pain

• Fatigue

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Exposure to malaria prone areas

The mentioned symptoms are common for other conditions too and as such doctors can prescribe the malaria test if they consider you live in a high-risk area for malaria. However, in certain cases, doctors can prescribe this plasmodium vivax antigen test to rule out malaria while diagnosing the root of the symptoms as well. In most cases, doctors must suspect mosquito bites to be a potential factor for the symptoms for this test to be prescribed.

Components of Malaria Antigen Test

The results of this test shown as either positive or negative of having plasmodium vivax parasites in your bloodstream. If the reports are positive, it means the patient has malaria causing parasites in their body and doctors can start antimalarial treatment. 

A negative report in most cases rules out malaria as a cause for the symptoms the patient is experiencing. However, it should be noted that false negative results are also possible for a malaria test. This is mostly common in case of low parasite density infections.

Procedure and Prerequisites

As a regular blood test, the procedure for performing this test involves drawing blood from the veins of the patient and testing the sample. No special prerequisites are required to be followed for this test. This test offers same day report delivery. You need to talk to your local diagnostic centre to learn more about the malaria test price in your area.