According to MedlinePlus, malaria is a serious disease caused by parasites found in infected anopheles mosquitoes. Every year, an estimated 250 million people worldwide are infected with malaria, which claims nearly 1 million lives annually—mostly children under the age of 5 in Africa. Malaria is a serious disease that can be fatal if left untreated. Patients should be aware of the symptoms of malaria.
Initial Symptoms
According to the CDC, initial symptoms of malaria include recurrent fever, chills, sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches. Initial symptoms occur 10 to 14 days after infection with malaria parasites. Initial symptoms of malaria are similar to common viral infections and may delay diagnosis of malaria.
Advanced Symptoms
According to MayoClinic.com, patients with untreated malaria may suffer from anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells. Malaria parasites invade red blood cells and liver cells, where they mature and release more parasites. Red blood cells then rupture and infect more red blood cells. Continual destruction of red blood cells leads to anemia. Patients also experience jaundice due to the destruction of red blood cells and liver cells.
Severe Symptoms
According to MayoClinic.com, patients who fail to get treated for malaria may develop complications of malaria such as dehydration, enlarged spleen, breathing problems, liver failure and kidney failure. Parasite-filled red blood cells may also block small blood vessels in the brain, leading to swelling of the brain, impaired brain function, impaired mental status and coma.
