Quick notes on the impact of malaria parasites on the body

When an infected mosquito bites a human to drink blood, parasites are injected into the bloodstream.

The parasites infect the liver and then red blood cells.

The classic clinical course of malaria consists of bouts of fever that coincide with the parasites bursting out of the red blood cells.

Infected red blood cells can also clump together, blocking blood flow and damaging internal organs, including the brain.

Variations in some human genes - such as those that cause sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia - reduce susceptibility to malaria.