Is malaria a virus or parasite?

Malaria is a parasite. Knowing this is important because diagnostics and treatment differ greatly. Don't skip the blood test for malaria, even if it costs a bit; self-diagnosis can be very expensive in the long run if it leads to complications.

So it's a parasite? Is that worse than a virus? I always worry about how difficult different kinds of infections are to treat. Do parasites cause more long-term issues?

Malaria is caused by a parasite, not a virus. This is a very common confusion. The medicines and recovery process are very specific for parasitic infections. So, if you suspect malaria, please get a blood test done promptly.

It's a parasite, definitely not a virus. I've seen some people try all sorts of home remedies for fever, thinking it's viral, and it turns out to be malaria, getting quite serious. Please, always get it checked by a doctor.