Question

Which type of malaria is malignant and fatal? Explain it.

Answer 1

Hint: The causative organisms of malaria are protozoan. It is caused by a tiny protozoan called Plasmodium. It is a single-celled microorganism. Malaria is spread by an infected female mosquito.

Complete answer:
Malaria is caused by the protozoan namely plasmodium. The different species of Plasmodium can cause malaria in humans and animals. It is spread through the bite of the infected female mosquito called Anopheles. When the mosquitos bite, the parasites enter into the host body (blood). The parasites are present in the mosquito's saliva. Then parasites travel to the host liver. In the liver, the parasites mature and reproduce. Usually, symptoms start showing 10-15 days after being bitten by an infected female mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever, headache, tiredness and vomiting. In severe conditions, it may be yellow skin, coma, seizures and even death. These symptoms can vary because different species of plasmodium can be responsible for a different type of malaria. The different species are P. vivax, P.malariae, P. ovale, and P.falciparum. Most classic symptoms are paroxysm that is sudden recurrence of coldness followed by shivering and finally, fever and sweating. These reoccurring can vary in different species. In P. vivax and P. ovale infections occurred every two days (tertian fever) and every three days (quartan fever) in P. malariae whereas in case P. falciparum can cause recurrent fever every 36–48 hours. Of these species, most malignant and fatal malaria is caused by the P.falciparum. Malaria caused by P.falciparum, symptoms arises 9- 30 days after being infected. Symptoms may include- cerebral malaria, respiratory distress, kidney failure, neurological symptoms, coma and death.

Note: If Malaria is not properly treated, then it can reoccur a month later. The reinfection causes milder symptoms. Another species is also there called P.knowlesi that rarely causes disease in humans. It is identified that 75% of malaria is caused by the P.falciparum followed by the P.vivax that is 20%. It is diagnosed by blood examination.