Malaria is a potentially serious
disease caused by a parasite called Plasmodia. Plasmodia parasite are
transmitted between humans by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, which
can carry the parasite. An Anopheles mosquito can only infect a person with
malaria if it has already bitten a person with malaria.
After the malaria Plasmodia parasites enter the human bloodstream, they travel to the liver and reproduce quickly. In most forms of malaria, some parasites stay in the liver to multiple while others flow into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, the malaria parasites destroy the red blood cells, which carry vital oxygen to the tissues of the body. The malaria Plasmodia parasites that stayed in the liver also continue to reproduce and send more parasites into the blood.
The process of malaria results in repeated attacks of symptoms each time the malaria parasites are released into the blood. Symptoms first appear in about eight to 30 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Symptoms are flu-like and can include fever, fatigue, fever, nausea and chills.
Malaria can result in anemia (a decreased number of red blood cells). The remains of the destroyed red blood cells clump together and cause blockages in the blood vessels. This can result in brain damage or kidney damage, which is potentially fatal. A particularly serious, potentially life-threatening, form of malaria is called falciparum malaria.
Attacks of malaria can occur for years if it is not diagnosed and treated. Eventually, the body's immune system may develop a defense against malaria attack, and they may become less severe in some people. If a person can survive a bout of falciparum malaria, repeat attacks do not recur.
Making a diagnosis of malaria begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms and travel history, and completing a physical examination. Recent travel to sub-tropical or tropical areas of the world is an important clue that may increase the suspicion of a diagnosis of malaria.
Diagnostic testing includes blood tests that check for the Plasmodia parasites that cause malaria. A series of test may need to be done to definitely rule-out or diagnose malaria. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) can detect anemia, which can occur with malaria.
