What is malaria?
Malaria is an infection of a part of the blood called the red blood cells. It is spread by mosquitoes that carry a parasite that causes malaria. If a mosquito carrying this parasite bites you, the parasite can get into your blood. The parasite lays eggs, which develop into more parasites, and they feed on your blood cells until you get very sick. If left untreated, malaria can quickly become very serious and can even be fatal.
Source
Malaria Prevention in Travelers by G Juckett, MD (American Family Physician May 01, 1999, http://www.aafp.org/afp/990501ap/2523.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 12/10
Created: 09/00