Malaria is an important cause of death and illness in children and adults, especially in tropical countries.
Malaria is caused by infection of red blood cells with protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. There are four species of plasmodium protozoa involved: vivax, falciparum, malariae, and ovale.
The parasites are inoculated into the human host by a feeding female anopheline mosquito.
The signs and symptoms of malaria might be vague, but fever is generally present. The first symptoms of malaria are non-specific and similar to the symptoms of a minor systemic viral illness.
Fever is the most prominent symptom which is often accompanied by headache, lassitude, fatique, back pain and muscle and joint aches, usually followed by chills, perspiration, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, increased sweating, and worsening malaise.
Cough and shortness of breath are common. When synchronous infections develop, each species of Plasmodium causes a characteristics pattern of periodic fever.
In addition to these symptoms of uncomplicated malaria, other manifestations may develop that signal severe malaria, which is almost due to Plasmodium falciparum.
These include confusion or drowsiness with prostration, together with severe manifestation such as cerebral malaria, severe anemia and others.
Untreated Plasmodium falciparum infection can lead to coma, renal failure, pulmonary edema and death.
The other three forms of malaria (vivax, ovale and malariae) are rarely life threatening.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
