Testing for

Fever

A fever that has lasted more than two or three days is usually tested rather than guessed at. One blood sample checks the blood count and platelets, and looks for the three infections that matter most in this part of the world — dengue, malaria and typhoid. The results say which it is, or that it is none of them and will pass on its own.

First: Bleeding from the gums or nose, a rash with the fever, severe stomach pain, drowsiness or very little urine — go to a hospital now, not a lab.

General information, not a prescription. Which tests you need is your doctor's call; this page shows what is usually asked for.