The four parasites that cause malaria include:
- Plasmodium vivax:
- Causes symptoms for 2-3 months, then gradually resolves
- About 50% of untreated people have a relapse within 5 years
- Plasmodium falciparum:
- Most serious cause
- Causes severe symptoms
- Causes severe anemia
- Causes damage to blood vessels, liver, lungs and brain
- Plasmodium malariae:
- Plasmodium ovale:
- Tends to be less severe than the other forms
- Symptoms resolve in two months
