Double quartan and quartan fever are medical terms used to describe a type of malaria that causes fever every other day. The word quartan comes from the Latin word "quartus" meaning "fourth", which refers to the fact that the fever occurs every fourth day. The prefix "double" indicates that the fever occurs every other day. In IPA phonetic transcription, the pronunciation of quartan is /ˈkwɔːtən/ and the pronunciation of double quartan is /ˈdʌbəl ˈkwɔːtən/. Proper spelling and pronunciation of these medical terms are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of malaria.
A double quartan, also known as quartan fever, is a specific type of recurrent fever characterized by its regularity and periodicity. It is caused by infection with the malaria parasite Plasmodium malariae.
The term "double quartan" refers to the characteristic fever pattern exhibited by individuals with quartan fever. It is called "double" because the febrile episodes occur every other day, resulting in a cyclical pattern with two days of fever followed by one day of normal body temperature. This periodicity sets it apart from other types of malaria infections, such as the more common Plasmodium falciparum infection which causes daily bouts of fever.
Quartan fever is caused by the parasite Plasmodium malariae, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The parasite undergoes a specific 72-hour life cycle within the human body, leading to the characteristic pattern of fever associated with this condition.
Although quartan fever is generally less severe compared to other types of malaria, it can still cause significant discomfort and may lead to long-term complications if left untreated. Symptoms of quartan fever include periodic episodes of high fever, chills, sweating, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with appropriate antimalarial medications are crucial to prevent complications and ensure full recovery.
Due to the cyclical nature of the fever pattern in double quartan, monitoring and documenting the timing of febrile episodes is important in diagnosing this specific type of malaria infection.
Infection with two independent groups of quartan parasites, so that paroxysms occur on two successive days followed by one day without fever.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.