MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Malaria

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Malaria

Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted from one human to another via the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The parasites migrate to the liver, mature and enter the bloodstream, where they rupture red blood cells. An infected pregnant woman can transmit malaria to her unborn child.

Update Date: 6/22/2000

Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director; G. Eric Morgan, MS3; Cynthia Godsey, MHSE, MSN, FNP-C, Director of Product Content, RxRemedy

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