2. INTRODUCTION
•Malaria is one of the oldest diseases known to
mankind that has had profound impact on our
history.
•It is a huge social, economical and health problem,
particularly in the tropical countries.
• Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease
caused by single-celled protozoan parasites of the
genus Plasmodium.
•Malaria is transmitted from person to person by
the bite of female anopheles mosquitoes.
5. ETIOLOGY OF MALARIA
Four Species known to infect Man
1. Plasmodium vivax – Benign Tertian, tertian
malaria
2. P.ovale - Ovale tertian Malaria
3. P. malariae – Quartan malaria
4. P. falciparum – Falciparum malaria or
Malignant Tertian malaria.
15. SEVERE MALARIA
• Complicated malaria caused by P.falciparum infection.
• It is an immediate threat to life and is therefore a medical emergency
which requires hospitalisation. Malaria is regarded as severe if there are
asexual forms of P.falciparum in blood plus one or more of the following
complications:
• - confusion, or drowsiness,
• - altered level of consciousness or coma,
• - hypoglycemia,
• - acidosis,
• - difficulty in breathing &,
• - respiratory distress syndrome