malaria

Introduction
Malaria is commonly thought to be isolated to warm climates but with “environmental changes, the spread of drug resistance, and increased air travel could lead to the reemergence of malaria as a serious public health problem…”(Turkington & Ashby, 1998). This paper will outline the cause, pathogenesis, complications, diagnosis, management and global impact of the disease.
Cause/Etiology of Malaria
Malaria is an infectious disease. In humans it is caused by one of four different protozoan parasites; Plasmodium vivax, P. faliparum, P. malaria, and P. ovale (Grimes, Grimes, & Hamelink, 1991). Humans can become infected by these protozoa mainly by way of vector; specifically the female Anopheles mosquito or by transfusion of infected blood or needle sharing with an infected person (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 1997).
Malaria is one of the oldest known infectious diseases. It has been mentioned in ancient Sanskrit and Chin...