What Is Malaria?
3. Plasmodium
As mentioned, malaria is usually caused by the bite of a mosquito. The disease is actually caused by tiny protozoan parasites, known as plasmodium. Mosquitos can become infected with these parasites after feeding on an infected host. The mosquito can then pass the parasite on to any person it bites.
Once inside their new host, the parasites will make their way to the liver where they will then spend some time maturing. Once mature, they will leave the liver, and your red blood cells will become infected. At this stage, the disease will start causing symptoms, some of which can be very serious.
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