Question:What tissues,organs and/or body systems are affected by malaria?Answer:The malaria parasite is transmitted through blood and has an immediate effect on red blood cells. The most common symptoms of malaria including fever, are caused when the parasites invade red blood cells (erythrocytes) and rupture. However, there are five species of the Plasmodium parasite that cause … [Read more...]
Malaria Effects on Brain
QUESTIONDoes malaria affect your brain?I was 18months when I had it and I almost died. I didn't talk until I was 3 years old and have always had troubles with schooling. Now I'm 23 and for at least 3/4 years I've had problems with my memory and speech. I don't know if its new or I have just been noticing it more since I'm older and I'm still experiencing my learning troubles. So can this … [Read more...]
Can Malaria Penetrate the Brain
QUESTIONCan malaria penetrate the brain? ANSWERApproximately 1% of people with malaria will develop a severe form, and in these cases the brain can be affected. When the brain is affected, the condition is called cerebral malaria. Functional changes to the blood-brain barrier occur in cerebral malaria, possibly as a result of the binding of parasitized red blood cells to … [Read more...]
Malaria Cure
QUESTIONWhat medicine is good for curing malaria?ANSWERThere are lots of different types of medication which are effective against malaria. However, for uncomplicated, unsevere cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using a type of medication called artemisinin-based combination therapy, or ACT. Again, there are many types of ACTs, so the name may vary depending on what … [Read more...]
Effects of Malaria on Brain
QUESTIONCan malaria or the fever of malaria (or the medication) cause a teen to become depressed and suicidal 18 months on.ANSWERThat is unlikely. Malaria, when treated, usually resolves completely, without any lingering effects. In some cases, people with severe cerebral malaria can have lasting neurological impacts, such as altered behaviour and difficulties with learning. Some … [Read more...]
Malaria Symptoms
QUESTIONWhat are the symptoms of Malaria?ANSWERSymptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the … [Read more...]
Malaria with Liver and Kidney Problems
QUESTIONCan someone please tell me what kind of malaria this is. What part of the body it attacks, e.g., cerebral? Patient presenting with liver and kidney "problems". What could these be?ANSWERI am not sure I fully understand your question, but the type of malaria which is associated with cerebral malaria, and also tends to have the most adverse effects on other organs (such as the … [Read more...]
Malaria Effect on Host
QUESTIONWhat is the effect of malaria on host?ANSWERIn the human host, malaria can often make a person very sick, though the exact symptoms and severity of the disease depends on the type of malaria (five different kinds of malaria infect humans). Many people will have a high fever, chills, nausea and body aches. In a symptom very typical of malaria, a patient will experience cyclical … [Read more...]
Which Malaria is Most Deadly
QUESTIONIn which form of malaria is the death rate highest?ANSWERThe most dangerous form of malaria in people is Plasmodium falciparum. It causes the most severe symptoms (for example, "cerebral malaria") and also the most deaths. It is widespread around the world, but most deaths due to P. falciparum (and in fact, all malaria) occur in sub-Saharan Africa. … [Read more...]
Malaria Symptoms Flash Back
QUESTIONI got cerebral malaria in Uganda in 1988. Upon returning to the US I was part of an on-going study through the CDC for a couple years. During that time I had recurrence of what appeared to be an 8-10 hour relapse of the severe body aches, disorientation, fever, chills etc. The tropical doctor that was following me informed me that with something as severe as cerebral malaria the brain … [Read more...]