By Danielle Zerr, MD Malaria is an infection marked by fever and shaking chills . Four different species of the Plasmodium parasite cause malaria. Malaria occurs mainly in the tropical areas of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.
Humans acquire malaria through the bite of a mosquito.
There are 4 species of Plasmodium that cause infection. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite travels through the bloodstream to the liver. The parasite multiplies in the liver. Then it goes back into the bloodstream and attacks the red blood cells. As the red blood cells are destroyed, symptoms begin in the body.