ABSTRACT
Malaria is an acute febrile illness whose severity and course depend on the species and strain of infecting parasite and thus on the geographical origin of the infection; on the age, genetic constitution, state of immunity, general health and nutritional status of the patient; and on the effects of any chemoprophylaxis or chemotherapy that has been used. There may be no diagnostic clinical features of malaria, but some patients experience the classical periodic febrile paroxysms occurring every 48 or 72 hours, with afebrile asymptomatic intervals and a tendency to recrudesce or relapse over periods of months to many years.
