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.

From Salon

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.

From The New Yorker

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.

From BBC

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg