What characteristic describes a suspected malaria case?

A suspected malaria case is typically characterized by the absence of confirmed laboratory evidence of malaria infection, alongside symptoms that are suggestive of the disease, such as fever. In this context, the situation of having no malaria test conducted while experiencing fever without an adequate cause aligns with the definition of a suspected case. It reflects the need for further evaluation and testing to determine whether malaria is indeed the underlying issue.

In contrast, the other scenarios involve either confirmed diagnoses or findings that suggest an alternative condition, which would not classify them as "suspected malaria." For instance, a positive malaria test indicates a confirmed diagnosis rather than a suspicion. Similarly, cold symptoms or pneumonia, alongside either a negative test or a confirmed diagnosis, point to other potential diagnoses that do not align with the classification of a suspected case of malaria.