vivax malaria

disease

Also known as: tertian malaria

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Vivax malaria is a disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium vivax. This parasite is one of five species that cause malaria in humans, and P. vivax is the most common worldwide.12

Malaria is transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. These parasites infect red blood cells, leading to their destruction. This process causes periodic symptoms such as chills, fever, headache, and muscle aches, typically occurring in cycles of 48 hours for P. vivax. Infections can also lead to anemia and an enlarged spleen. While not as deadly as Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax can cause relapses due to dormant stages of the parasite in the liver. Historically, quinine from cinchona bark was used for treatment, and newer drugs like chloroquine and artemisinin are now available, though drug resistance is a growing concern.234

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malaria
The course of the disease
…of 48 hours (in so-called tertian malaria) or 72 hours (quartan malaria), coincide with the synchronized release of each new generation of merozoites into the bloodstream. Often, however, a victim may be infected with different species of parasites at the same time or may have different generations of the same…
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…of 48 hours (in so-called tertian malaria) or 72 hours (quartan malaria), coincide with the synchronized release of each new generation of merozoites into the bloodstream. Often, however, a victim may be infected with different species of parasites at the same time or may have different generations of the same…
Read More