First smear positive in >90% of cases (thick and thin Giemsa stain)
If initial negative, must be repeated BID x 2-3 days for proper exclusion of<unk> 
Determines degree of parasitemia and type (e.g. P. falciparum)
Additional lab findings
Normocytic anemia
Thrombocytopenia
↑ ESR
↑ LDH
LFT abnormalities (elevated indirect bilirubin)
↑ Cr
Hyponatremia
Hypoglycemia
Low Haptoglobin
False positive VDRL
If initial negative, must be repeated BID x 2-3 days for proper exclusion of<unk> 
Determines degree of parasitemia and type (e.g. P. falciparum)
Normocytic anemia
Thrombocytopenia
↑ ESR
↑ LDH
LFT abnormalities (elevated indirect bilirubin)
↑ Cr
Hyponatremia
Hypoglycemia
Low Haptoglobin
False positive VDRL
Malaria
Normal causes of acute fever!
Chikungunya
Cholera
Dengue
Babesiosis
Leptospirosis
Typhoid fever