Q.Name and distinguish the two tertian fevers caused by malaria parasites.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →A 'tertian' fever pattern is one that recurs roughly every 48 hours — that is, on the first and again on the third day, counting inclusively. Two different species of malaria parasite produce a tertian pattern in humans, but with very different clinical severity. Plasmodium vivax completes its erythrocytic schizogonic cycle roughly every 48 hours, producing benign tertian fever, which is uncomfortable and debilitating but comparatively mild and rarely life-threatening. Plasmodium falciparum, though also broadly following a roughly similar periodicity, produces malignant tertian fever, which is considerably more dangerous, with a much higher risk of severe and potentially fatal complications. The word 'tertian' therefore describes only the timing/periodicity of the fever, while 'benign' v …
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