How does malaria affect the human body?
1 Answer
May 20, 2016
Malaria parasite enters red blood cells and grows in them, changing form and passing through different stages. RBCs break down, causing jaundice. One stage is in liver cells. The spleen and liver enlarge. When RBCs break down in small blood vessels, they block them. This can happen in the brain, leading to cerebral malaria and in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure. Metabolism may be altered, causing low blood sugar.
