QUESTION: Why are patients suffering with malaria more susceptible to jaundice? ANSWER: The icterus/jaundice is usually from lysis/breakdown of infected red blood cells as they rupture and release new malaria parasites into the bloodstream.  If only 1% of red cells are infected, this will be mild.  If "parasitaemia" is severe/life threatening, say, 10% of red cells infected, then the … [Read more...]