25/4 = world malaria day What Causes Malaria?

The cause of malaria is an infection with a malaria parasite. There are several types of malaria parasites, each belonging to the genus Plasmodium.

Plasmodium Parasites
Malaria parasites (Plasmodium) are tiny organisms that can only be seen under a microscope. There are more than 100 species of Plasmodium, which can infect many animal species, including:

Reptiles Birds Various mammals.

Only four species of Plasmodium infect humans in nature. These four types of Plasmodium include:

Plasmodium falciparum Plasmodium vivax Plasmodium ovale Plasmodium malariae.

Transmission of the Disease

While an infection with a Plasmodium parasite actually causes malaria, there is another important species in malaria transmission. This is the Anopheles mosquito. Anopheles mosquitoes are important because they actually transmit Plasmodium to humans through a bite. No other types of mosquitoes are known to transmit malaria. Factors that determine the occurrence of malaria are those that influence the three components of the malaria life cycle:

Anopheles mosquitoes (the "malaria mosquito") must be present and in contact with humans. Within the Anopheles mosquitoes, the Plasmodium parasites can complete the "invertebrate host" half of their life cycle. Humans must be present and in contact with Anopheles mosquitoes. Within the human host, Plasmodium parasites can complete the "vertebrate host" half of their life cycle. Malaria parasites must be present.

Less commonly, malaria transmission may occur through contact with infected blood, such as:

A blood transfusion An organ transplant

From mother to child in "congenital malaria."

In these cases, the cause of malaria is still a Plasmodium parasite; but how the parasite spreads differs.

Malaria causes a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from absent or very mild symptoms to severe disease, and even death. Malaria disease can be categorized as uncomplicated or severe (complicated). In general, malaria is a curable disease if diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly.

Malaria Transmission
Although malaria transmission usually occurs through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito, it can also occur through contact with infected blood. The disease may also be transmitted from a mother to her fetus before or during delivery.