Causes of Malaria

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. It is not caused by cold, damp air, bad water or eating certain foods, although the word comes from old Italian "mal aria", meaning bad air.

How the parasite spreads

• Female Anopheles mosquitoes: these mosquitoes bite mostly between dusk and dawn. They pick up the parasite from an infected person and pass it on with the next bite.
• Blood-borne spread (rare): through blood transfusion, organ transplant or shared needles.
• Mother to baby (rare): an infected pregnant woman can pass malaria to the baby before or during birth.

Malaria does not spread by touch, coughing or sharing food.

Parasite species

Five Plasmodium species infect people: falciparum, vivax, malariae, ovale and knowlesi. In India, falciparum and vivax cause most cases.

What raises the chance of infection

• Living in or travelling to areas with malaria, including forest, tribal and some urban pockets
• Stagnant water near the home, such as coolers, tanks, pots and drains, where mosquitoes breed
• Monsoon and post-monsoon months
• Sleeping without a net or screens
• Pregnancy, early childhood and weak immunity
• Construction sites and migration for work

Ayurvedic view

Classical texts describe Vishama Jwara, an irregular or intermittent fever, which resembles the fever pattern of malaria. This is a traditional framework. It does not replace a blood test.

Key point

Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection. Cutting mosquito contact and getting tested quickly for any fever in a malaria area matters more than any cause listed here.