Malaria is an illness caused by protozoa which are spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The illness is characterized by a recurring fever which may be mild or severe.
Malaria is a major cause of illness in many tropical and subtropical countries.
All types of malaria are spread by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. It is important to decrease contact with mosquitoes when sleeping. The time between the infective bite and onset of symptoms ranges from 8 days for P. falciparum malaria to 30 days for P. malariae . Occasionally an incubation period of 8 - 10 months occurs with certain strains of malaria. Symptoms of malaria begin with weakness, fatigue, fever, shaking chills, sweats, headache, and nausea.