Malaria

Malaria, infectious parasitic disease causing fever, violent chills, enlargement of the spleen, and occasionally jaundice and anemia. Bouts often reoccur and can be acute or chronic. Widespread in tropical and subtropical areas, malaria is due to infection with the Plasmodium parasite carried by the Anopheles mosquitoes from the blood of infected persons. Derivatives of quinine are used both in prevention and treatment of the disease.