blackwater fever

noun

Pathology.

1. a severe form of malaria characterized by kidney damage and hemoglobinuria resulting in urine that is dark red or black.

blackwater fever

noun

1. med a rare and serious complication of malaria, characterized by massive destruction of red blood cells, producing dark red or blackish urine

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackwater fever¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The disease can produce severe maternal anemia, iron deficiency, or it can spread to the kidneys and the lungs and cause a condition known as blackwater fever.

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He’s had five meniscus surgeries on his knees, and he has a bad back and a recurrent case of blackwater fever. His spirit, however, remains the same.

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At the time of his rescue, following the Japanese surrender, he was close to death from malnutrition and blackwater fever, a rare but extremely dangerous complication of malaria.

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Even the relief of work was denied us; and sport was impossible, for malaria and blackwater fever hold possession of the jungles during the Monsoon.

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Died of blackwater fever before the line got past this camp.

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