What indicates fever due to other causes in a child?

The indication of fever due to other causes in a child is best represented by a negative malaria test combined with the presence of a cold or other illness. A negative malaria test suggests that the symptoms the child is experiencing are not due to malaria, which is a common concern in areas where the disease is endemic. When a child presents with fever and a cold or other identifiable illness, it strengthens the case for an alternative cause of fever.

In contrast, having a positive malaria test would imply that the fever could be attributed to malaria, while pneumonia without malaria test results could indicate serious illness that might require different treatment, but it does not confirm or rule out other causes of fever. Similarly, a significant ear discharge without a test being done does not provide enough context about the fever's origins, highlighting the importance of differentiating based on test results and accompanying health indicators.