Information on Malaria

• Malaria

Malaria is a disease caused by an infection with parasites called Plasmodium. This eMedTV page explains how malaria is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms and treatment are also discussed.

• Malaria Causes

As explained in this eMedTV article, infection with a parasite from the genus Plasmodium is what causes malaria. Causes of transmission of the disease most commonly involve bites from Anopheles mosquitoes, which may carry the parasite.

• Anopheles

This eMedTV Web page provides an in-depth look at the Anopheles mosquito, which is the only species known to spread malaria. The page discusses its life cycle and measures designed to combat insect biting and control the spread of disease.

• Malaria Transmission

In most cases of malaria, transmission occurs through a mosquito bite. This section of the eMedTV library explains how transmission of malaria takes place, including information about the incubation period for the disease.

• Malaria Incubation Period

Typically, the malaria incubation period ranges from 10 days to four weeks in duration. However, as this eMedTV segment explains, this time between infection with malaria parasites and the onset of symptoms may range from seven days to several years.

• Malaria Symptoms

In cases of malaria, symptoms commonly include such things as fever, chills, nausea, and diarrhea. This eMedTV article discusses mild and severe symptoms of malaria, which can include kidney failure, coma, and severe anemia.

• Malaria Diagnosis

The best test for malaria diagnosis is called a blood smear. This eMedTV Web page explains how a doctor diagnoses malaria, which also often involves asking the patient questions, performing a physical exam, and ruling out other conditions.

• Malaria Treatment

For people with malaria, treatment involves medications such as quinine. This section of the eMedTV archives identifies medications used to treat malaria (such as chloroquine and mefloquine) and lists factors that can affect treatment of the disease.

• Malaria Cure

When the disease is treated early enough, there is medication that may be used as a malaria cure. This eMedTV segment identifies medicines that can be used to cure malaria, including chloroquine, mefloquine, and quinine.

• History of Malaria

The recorded history of malaria goes back more than 4,000 years. This portion of the eMedTV library offers an overview of the history of malaria, from descriptions of the disease in ancient Chinese texts to efforts to eradicate malaria in the 1900s.

• Malaria Vaccine

There is not yet a malaria vaccine approved for humans. This eMedTV article examines the challenges inherent in developing an effective vaccine for malaria, while explaining the importance of such a vaccine in eventually controlling the disease.