Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. in the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells. Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. only Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit malaria and they must have been infected through a previous blood meal taken on an infected person. When a mosquito bites an infected person, a small amount of blood is taken in which contains microscopic malaria parasites. about 1 week later, when the mosquito takes its next blood meal, these parasites mix with the mosquito’s saliva and are injected into the person being bitten.

Because the malaria parasite is found in red blood cells of an infected person, malaria can also be transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplant, or the shared use of needles or syringes contaminated with blood. Malaria may also be transmitted from a mother to her unborn infant before or during delivery (“congenital” malaria).

Malaria Symptoms

Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. Infection with one type of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death. in many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.

Treatment of Malaria

Medical treatment should be sought immediately.The effectiveness of antimalarial drugs differs with different species of the parasite and with different stages of the parasite’s life cycle. Your physician will determine the treatment plan most appropriate for your individual condition.

Drugs include chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, quinine, pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine (Fansidar), and doxycycline. Some plasmodium have developed resistance to certain medications, and therefore, alternative medications will be prescribed for you.

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Prevention of Malaria

No prophylactic regimen gives complete protection. Speak with your physician or local travel clinic to receive up to date information about the best malaria protection for you. Effectiveness of any given medication varies by the region of the world in which you plan to travel. Effectiveness also varies from year to year, so current information is essential.

Prevention is based on:

evaluating the risk of exposure to infection

preventing mosquito bites by using DEET mosquito repellant, bed nets, and clothing that covers most of the body

chemoprophylaxis (preventive medications)

George Clooney suffered from a bout of malaria after recently visiting Sudan. the A-list star had traveled to the country with the U.N. to provide aid before a potentially dangerous separation of the southern region. Clooney cares deeply about this part of the world, striving to raise awareness about the situation and prevent future catastrophe and war. Clooney went to Sudan to help prevent any new outbreaks of violence and, while there, contracted the potentially fatal condition. He is now recovered from the disease.

Malaria is the fifth leading cause of death around the world, according to the CDC. Although mostly absent from the United States, it continues to kill many people every year. In 2008, the World Health Organization estimated there were up to 311 million cases of malaria and up to 1,003,000 deaths. Malaria is usually transferred to humans through mosquito bites.

Simple precautions can help prevent malaria. Mosquito nets should be used and other bite preventions should be practiced. when traveling or living in a widespread region, preventative medications should be taken. If a person has any symptoms or signs of malaria, they should seek treatment immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.

Clooney is not the first celebrity to contract the dangerous illness. the following three celebrities have all suffered from malaria:

Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper is the host of CNN 360 and will soon be hosting his own daytime talk show. as a teenager, the popular anchor went on a "survival trip" to Africa. Anderson contracted malaria and spent time in a Kenyan hospital. Cooper kept the information from his mother until he was healthy and back home.

Jeremy Piven

Jeremy Piven was infected with malaria while filming a movie in 2004. the movie, PCU, was filmed in the United States and Canada. the actor recovered and is now part of the Malaria no More's "Comedy Fights Malaria" program. the campaign uses comedy to spread awareness and start conversations about the deadly disease.

Cheryl Cole

British star Cheryl Cole contracted malaria after a Tanzania trip. Originally diagnosed with exhaustion, the popular Girls Aloud singer and television personality collapsed at a photo shoot. Cole spent several days in the hospital and several more weeks recovering from the harsh illness in 2010.