malaria

malaria An infectious disease that affects many millions of people and is caused by protozoan parasites from the Plasmodium family. These parasites can be transmitted by the sting of the Anopheles mosquito or by a contaminated needle or transfusion. The symptoms of malaria include cycles of chills, fever, sweats, muscle aches, and headache that recur every few days. Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Treatment includes use of oral or intravenous medication, particularly chloroquine, mefloquine (brand name: Larium), or atovaquone/proguanil (brand name: Malarone). Anti-malarial drugs can be taken by those traveling to endemic areas for prevention of malaria. Persons carrying the sickle cell gene have some protection against malaria. Among the many names for malaria are ague, jungle fever, marsh or swamp fever, and paludism. See also malaria, falciparum.