Plasmodium vivax malaria can recur because the parasite has a dormant stage (hypnozoites) that hides in your liver and reactivates months later. Fortunately, it can be completely cured. Doctors use chloroquine to clear the active blood infection, combined with primaquine or tafenoquine to destroy the dormant liver stage. Regarding your liver, both the parasite's presence and the medications can temporarily stress it, occasionally causing mild, reversible changes in liver function tests. This is a common, manageable response, and your liver function typically returns to normal after successful treatment. Your doctor will simply run a quick G6PD blood test beforehand to ensure these medications are entirely safe for you.