QUESTION Is there any evidence that successfully treated malaria (when young or a young adult), has any deleterious effects for patients in their 70s and 80s? Is risk of vascular disease, stroke, or MIs any greater? ANSWER I don't think there is any evidence for any long-term deleterious effects of malaria that was successfully treated, particularly if the malaria infection was … [Read more...]
Is it Common to Die of Malaria?
QUESTION is it common to die of malaria? Why? Why not? ANSWER Thankfully, these days it is not very common to die from malaria. Out of an estimated 250 million cases of malaria around the world every year, there are only about 700,000 fatalities. However, 700,000 deaths every year is still a lot! If left undiagnosed and untreated, malaria can progress very rapidly and be a very … [Read more...]
Malaria and the Brain
QUESTION How long does it take malaria to reach your brain? ANSWER The process by which malaria affects the brain is complicated, and the amount of time also varies. First of all, only one species of malaria parasite is associated with the brain - this is Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly form of malaria. It is dangerous because when it infects red blood cells, it makes them … [Read more...]
Malaria Symptoms
QUESTION WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? ANSWER Symptoms 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 mosquito … [Read more...]
Deadliest Malaria Parasite
QUESTION which malarial parasite is deadliest for humans, and why? ANSWER By far the most deadly malaria parasite is Plasmodium falciparum, as it is responsible for >95% of all malaria deaths every year. Most of these fatalities occur in young children in sub-Saharan Africa. The causes for why P. falciparum is so deadly are still not fully understood. This parasite has the ability … [Read more...]
Malaria Disorder
QUESTION what is the malaria disorder? ANSWER Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells. Usually, people get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, … [Read more...]
Why is malaria dangerous?
QUESTION Why is malaria dangerous? ANSWER Malaria is dangerous because if left untreated, it can be deadly. This is particularly true of Plasmodium falciparum, which can rapidly escalate into severe disease with cerebral (brain) complications. However, other forms of malaria, such as P. vivax and P. knowlesi, can also be fatal if untreated. The people most at risk from severe malaria … [Read more...]
Can malaria affect one’s mental fitness?
QUESTION Can malaria affect ones mental fitness? ANSWER Given that malaria is often associated with severe fever and flu-like illness, I would say that is usually enough to prevent someone from feeling completely mentally fit! However, in addition to these general symptoms, there are other specific ways in which malaria can affect a patient's mind. With a particular type of malaria, … [Read more...]
What happens after you get malaria?
QUESTION What are the after effects of malaria? ANSWER In almost all cases, if malaria is diagnosed accurately and treated promptly, patients make a full recovery with no after effects. In some cases of severe malaria, the disease can develop into cerebral malaria, which can result in impaired mental function, loss of consciousness and coma (and, if untreated, even death). Again, if … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Malaria
QUESTION What are the symptoms of malaria? ANSWER Symptoms 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...]