Name the causative agent of Malaria . How does the pathogen gain entry into the body? Write the diagnostic symptoms and mention the organ that is affected in severe cases.

Malaria:

• Malaria continues to be one of the major health problems of developing countries. Malaria is caused by protozoan parasite Plasmodium.
• Four diff erent species of Plasmodium namely, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium ovale cause malaria. Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is malignant and fatal.
• It may be fatal to human beings, but cure is available.
• It spreads through the bite of an insect vector the female Anopheles mosquito which feeds on human blood and usually lasts less than 10 days.
• The organ that is affected in severe cases is liver.
• A person affected by malaria will show symptoms of headache, nausea, muscular pain, chillness and shivering, followed by rapid rise in temperature.
• The fever subsides with profuse sweating. Use of Quinine drugs kills the stages of malaria parasite.