What happens to your body when you get malaria?

Mia Williams | 2023-04-06 14:05:29 | page views:1870
I'll answer
Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.20 Earn 20 gold coins for an accepted answer.
40more

Zoe Davis

Studied at the University of Sydney, Lives in Sydney, Australia.
As a medical professional, I can explain the physiological changes that occur in the body when a person contracts malaria. Malaria is a disease caused by parasites belonging to the genus *Plasmodium*, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

When a mosquito carrying the *Plasmodium* parasite bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver. Here, it multiplies and then re-enters the bloodstream to invade red blood cells (RBCs). Inside the RBCs, the parasite feeds on hemoglobin and multiplies, causing the cells to rupture. This cycle of invasion and rupture leads to several symptoms and effects on the body:


1. Fever: The cycles of RBC rupture and parasite multiplication lead to periodic releases of toxins, which trigger the immune system and cause fever.


2. Anemia: As the parasites destroy RBCs, the body experiences a decrease in the number of these cells, leading to anemia.


3. Cytokine Release: The immune system's response to the parasite includes the release of cytokines, which can cause inflammation and contribute to the symptoms of malaria.


4. Organ Damage: In severe cases, the parasite can cause damage to vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, and liver.


5. Vomiting and Diarrhea: These symptoms can result from the body's immune response and the effects of the infection on the gastrointestinal system.


6. Jaundice: The destruction of RBCs leads to the accumulation of bilirubin, which can cause the skin and eyes to turn yellow.

7.
Seizures: In severe cases, especially in children, cerebral malaria can lead to seizures.

8.
Coma and Death: If not treated promptly, severe malaria can progress to coma and death.

It's important to note that the severity of symptoms and the course of the disease can vary widely depending on the specific *Plasmodium* species involved, the individual's immune system, and the timeliness and effectiveness of treatment.


Taylor Wilson

Studied at the University of Copenhagen, Lives in Copenhagen, Denmark.
When you're bitten by a malaria-infected mosquito, the parasites that cause malaria are released into your blood and infect your liver cells. The parasite reproduces in the liver cells, which then burst open. This allows thousands of new parasites to enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells.
2023-04-11 14:05:29

Harper Allen

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
When you're bitten by a malaria-infected mosquito, the parasites that cause malaria are released into your blood and infect your liver cells. The parasite reproduces in the liver cells, which then burst open. This allows thousands of new parasites to enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells.
ask:3,asku:1,askr:137,askz:21,askd:152,RedisW:0askR:3,askD:0 mz:hit,askU:0,askT:0askA:4