The correct spelling of the word "Quartan Fever" is often confused with "Quatern Fever" or "Quartile Fever". The word "quartan" refers to a type of malaria that causes recurring fever every fourth day. It is pronounced /kwɔːt(ə)n fɛvə/ with the stress on the second syllable of each word. The IPA phonetic transcription of "kw" represents the /kw/ sound while the "t" in quartan is pronounced. Remember this spelling to accurately refer to this type of malaria with recurring fever.
Quartan fever is a type of recurrent fever that occurs every fourth day, typically caused by a specific strain or type of malaria parasite known as Plasmodium malariae. It is characterized by periodic bouts of fever and other associated symptoms, such as chills, malaise, body aches, and sweating. Quartan fever is named after its distinct pattern, as it recurs every 72 hours, which corresponds to one-quarter of a week.
The fever begins with the invasion of red blood cells by the Plasmodium malariae parasite. These parasites multiply within the red blood cells, eventually causing them to rupture, releasing more parasites into the bloodstream. This process triggers an immune response, leading to the characteristic fever and associated symptoms.
Quartan fever is one of the less common types of malaria, accounting for approximately 10% of malaria cases worldwide. It is mainly found in specific regions, such as Central and West Africa, where Plasmodium malariae is more prevalent. Unlike other types of malaria, quartan fever tends to have a milder course, with less severe symptoms and a lower risk of complications.
Diagnosis of quartan fever involves microscopic examination of blood samples to detect the presence of Plasmodium malariae parasites. Treatment typically involves the use of antimalarial medications, such as chloroquine, although drug resistance may necessitate the use of alternative medications. Prevention measures, such as mosquito control and the use of bed nets, can also help reduce the risk of quartan fever and other types of malaria.
The term "Quartan Fever" has its etymology rooted in ancient Latin.
The word "quartan" comes from the Latin term "quartanus", which means "occurring every fourth day". This is derived from the Latin word "quartus", meaning "fourth".
The term "fever" has a more straightforward origin. It comes from the Latin word "febris", which means "fever" or "an abnormal rise in body temperature".
So, when these two terms are combined, "Quartan Fever" refers to a specific type of recurring fever that occurs every fourth day. It was historically used to describe a particular pattern of fever associated with certain types of malaria, where the fever spikes every fourth day.