What disease causes malaria?

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver. In the liver, the parasite multiplies and then infects red blood cells. Once inside the red blood cells, the parasite continues to multiply, causing the symptoms of malaria, which include fever, chills, sweating, headache, and muscle aches.