Life-Threatening Complications of Malaria?

Life-Threatening Complications of Malaria?

Malaria is a potentially life threatening tropical disease caused by mosquitoes bite. Malaria can be very serious and is potentially fatal. The falciparum type causes the most severe type and most deaths. It is important that malaria is detected and diagnosed at the right time and the best treatment is provided to the patient on immediate basis. Any delay in medical attention can complicate the situation and even lead to death. This is a fatal disease that is most common in India and has no vaccination or immunization developed to manage the same. It is important that one is aware of the fatal complications that result from malaria so that appropriate and swift action can be taken.

Life-threatening complications of malaria

• Cerebral Malaria:-

In cerebral malaria infected red blood cells are unable to carry oxygen to the brain. This is because the parasite-filled blood cells block small blood vessels to your brain (cerebral malaria) also swelling of your brain or brain damage may occur. Hence patients may suffer from brain  damage due to delayed treatment. Cerebral malaria may present as fever,  chills,confusion, paralysis of eye muscles, coma and death.

• Liver Failure:-

Malaria parasite affects the liver adversely. In malaria large numbers of red blood cells are broken leading to a load on the liver. The liver is not able to clear the by-products of the body well leading to jaundice and liver failure.

• Kidney Failure:-

Less blood and oxygen supply to the kidneys, weakens and affects the kidneys adversely. More over production of the red blood cell damages the kidneys. The over production of the RBC’s over loads the kidneys and this may even block the tubes with hemoglobin. All these factors lead to kidney failure which may need dialysis for care.

• Respiratory Failure:-

Malaria may damage the lungs resulting in low blood supply and deposition of fluids in the lungs. This is called respiratory distress syndrome. Lung failure may also lead to death. These patients may need the support of a ventilator for respiration.

• Shock:-

Malaria may present as shock. As multiple organs are affected in malaria,the patient develops a stage of shocks in which blood pressure is low. It is called multi organ dysfunction syndrome .These patients are very critical and the chances of survival in such patients is very low.