The crucial role of rapid point-of-care tests for malaria in improving fever management

Abstract

The extensive distribution of highly accurate, point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria has expanded access to better quality care for acute febrile illnesses across malaria-endemic regions. In 2010, the World Health Organization recommended a shift away from presumptive treatment of fevers with antimalarial drugs toward parasitological diagnosis of all suspected malaria cases before initiation of treatment. The increasing availability and affordability of malaria RDTs (the average cost is approximately $1 US per test, which is on the same order as first-line antimalarial drugs or artemisinin combination therapy) have made adherence to this guideline increasingly feasible.