How can you tell if it is malaria or flu?

Malaria and flu can look alike. Both can cause fever, headache, body aches and tiredness, so you cannot tell them apart by symptoms alone.

The only reliable way to know is a malaria test, either a rapid test or a blood smear at a clinic or laboratory. Do not take malaria medicine without a test result unless a health worker advises it.

Get tested quickly if you have a fever after being in a malaria-prone area. Seek urgent care for repeated vomiting, confusion, convulsions, very pale skin or yellow eyes, especially in children and pregnant women.