Overview
Malaria is a disease caused by a mosquito known as the female Anopheles mosquito. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The attack of mosquitoes causes damage to the red blood cells, typically causing a high fever with chills and other symptoms that may develop into life-threatening complications. Hence, timely diagnosis and treatment of malaria are very crucial. When a person gets malaria, symptoms often start to appear 10–30 days after infection. The severity of the symptoms can vary depending on the parasite species. Some people experience no symptoms for up to a year following a mosquito bite. Sometimes parasites can remain dormant in the body for years without showing any signs. Malaria is typically diagnosed through blood tests.