THE SCARY MALARIA

Malaria

This disorder is transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito, and is caused by the parasite Plasmodium. Patients usually begin having symptoms one to three weeks after the mosquito bite. The geographic distribution is Central and South America, Africa and Asia. Once inside the blood stream the parasites multiply inside the red blood cells, which then rupture within 48 to 72 hours, infecting more red blood cells. The rupturing of the red blood cells causes the classic cyclic fevers. The CDC estimates this as one of the most common diseases killing over 1 million people every year. There are five different types of the Plasmodium parasite with Plasmodium falciparum being most dangerous.