Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. Parasites are tiny plants or animals that get

nutrients by living off another creature. Parasites that cause malaria are passed to humans

through the bite of infected mosquitoes. At first, malaria symptoms may be similar to those

of the flu. Later on, malaria can lead to life-threatening complications.Malaria is not

contagious like a cold or flu, but it can be spread from person to person by mosquitos. If a

mosquito bites an infected person, it will spread the parasite to anyone it bites afterward. If

you are bitten by an infected mosquito, the parasites will travel into your bloodstream. The

parasites will multiply inside your red blood cells and cause illness. Malaria tests look for

signs of a malaria infection in the blood.