HEALTH & DISEASE A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site malaria Credit: World Health Organization A tropical parasitic disease resulting from infection with one of four species of Plamodium protozoa. Transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, malaria is characterized by fever and enlargement of the spleen. The parasite multiples in erythrocytes (red blood cells), causing their destruction. Attacks of fever, chills, and sweating typify the disease and occur as new generations of parasites develop in the blood, with the frequency of attacks related to the species involved. The typical symptom of malaria is a violent fever lasting 6–8 hours, recurring every two or three days. The different species of Plasmodium cause two types of intermittent fever. A tertian fever has one day free of fever between paroxysms; a quartan fever has two. Anemia and enlargement of the spleen develop as the disease progresses. The original antimalarial drug, quinine, has given way to synthetics such as chloroquine, although resistant strains of the main malaria parasite, P. falciparum, are spreading rapidly. With 270 million people infected, malaria is one of the most widespread diseases, claiming two million lives a year, mostly in the tropics. Related category    • HEALTH AND DISEASE Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP