The primary cause of malaria is the Plasmodium parasite, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. There are five species of Plasmodium that can infect humans:
1. Plasmodium falciparum
2. Plasmodium vivax
3. Plasmodium ovale
4. Plasmodium malariae
5. Plasmodium knowlesi
When an infected mosquito bites a person, it injects the parasites into the person’s bloodstream, where they travel to the liver and multiply. The parasites then enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells, causing the cells to rupture and leading to the symptoms of malaria.
Other factors can contribute to the risk of getting malaria, such as:
– Traveling to areas where malaria is common
– Not using insecticide-treated bed nets
– Not using insect repellents
– Not taking antimalarial medications as prescribed
– Having a weakened immune system
However, the primary cause of malaria is the Plasmodium parasite itself, transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.