According to health news in Buzzle.com, cerebral malaria can be a deadly disease that can attack various organs in the body. Cerebral malaria occurs when the malaria parasites infect the red blood cells, causing oxygen and blood supply to the brain is cut off. According to ScienceDaily, cerebral malaria affects 20 to 40 percent of people with malaria infections, and results in death in 30 to 50 percent of such cases. This disease is also linked to problems regarding patient care because even if the treatment regimens are present, patients often arrive too late for it. The disease can spread to various organs, but the consequences are gravest, when capillaries of the brain are affected. There are several major symptoms of cerebral malaria, which include fever, seizures, and impaired consciousness. The damage caused by the parasites to the red blood cells can result in fatigue and a state of weakness.
Fever
Fever occurs in patients with cerebral malaria. Fever is the body's coping mechanism when foreign objects invade the human system. The body's temperature goes high when there is an infection, because the white blood cells are basically fending off these foreign objects.
Seizures or Convulsions
Davidson University reports that cerebral malaria can lead to the development of elevated pressure in the brain and seizures or convulsions. This happens when the parasites invade the bloodstream and get into the brain and central nervous system. According to MedlinePlus, "A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain." With cerebral malaria, the brain tends to have a low supply of red blood cells, thus limiting the oxygen supplied to it. Seizures, or convulsions, are common and occur often, and can lead to a failure to regain consciousness, or a coma.
Abdominal Pain and Vomiting
Malaria parasites grow within the red blood cells, so when they reach a stage of maturity, they burst out of the cells. When this happens, the patient can complain of severe abdominal pain. Persistent nausea and vomiting are also experienced as the body's immune system attempts to fight the disease.
