Malaria with jaundice. A patient suffering from jaundice due to severe malaria. Malaria is caused by protozoan organisms which are transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum may be fatal within a few days. The organism infects the liver, invades the blood and multiplies in the red blood cells which rupture releasing more organisms. Blood breakdown products accumulate in the blood causing the yellowing symptoms of jaundice in the skin. Destruction of red cells can lead to kidney failure, convulsions & coma after initial feverish symptoms. Emergency treatment is required using antimalarial drugs & blood transfusions. Photographed in Vietnam.