Complications Caused By Malaria That You Must Be Aware Of

There are several types of complications that can be caused by malaria. Read this article to find out.

By Sravia Sivaram

Saturday, April 22, 2017, 11:39

People can suffer from malaria at any point of time. For some people it can turn out to be way more complicated.

Malaria is a serious disease that can kill people if not diagnosed properly, particularly pregnant women, babies, children and the aged.

When the parasite infects the red blood cells, the cells stick to the walls of the blood vessels. As the blood vessels become blocked, the blood supply to the organs also stop. This may lead to death of the infected person. This article will let you know what are the complications of malaria.

It only takes a single mosquito bite for a person to be infected. The biggest risk factor for developing malaria is to live in or visit an infected zone.

Poverty, lack of knowledge and no access to health care is primarily responsible for malaria deaths across the world.

Residents of an infected zone may acquire a partial immunity as are frequently exposed to the disease. This will lessen the severity of the symptoms of malaria. However this immunity will wane off when you move out of the region or is no longer exposed.

In this article we have listed some of the top complications caused by malaria as part of World Immunization Week.

So, read further to all about the complications of malaria.

1. Cerebral Malaria:

At times, malaria parasite can affect the brain. This might lead to brain damage. This condition is known as cerebral malaria and can also lead to paralysis.

2. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS):

This is the most common complication of malaria. This causes respiratory distress or breathing problems.

3. Convulsions:

Convulsions can be associated with cerebral malaria. High fever can also lead to convulsions. This is one of the major complications caused by malaria.

4. Hemolysis:

Malarial parasite has the capacity to destroy the RBCs completely. This can lead to hemolysis. Somtimes the hemoglobin released by the damaged RBCs can enter the kidneys and can cause kidney failure.

5. Low Sugar Levels:

Low levels of sugar can be caused both by malaria as well as by the drugs being used to treat it.

6. Fluid Imbalance:

Patients can become salt deprived due to excessive loss of fluid by means of sweating or vomiting or due to its decreased intake. This is one of the top complications of malaria.

7. Blackwater Fever:

Blackwater fever is due to the presence of massive haemolysis, sometimes coupled along with kidney impairment.

8. Splenic Rupture:

Enlargement of spleen in people who have recurrent cases of malaria is quiet common. Splenic rupture can occur in patients with falciparum malaria, especially when they develop abdominal pain or shock.