What are the symptoms and consequences of malaria?
During the time the parasites are in the liver, the host human may experience fever, headache, abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting, general body pains, and body weakness. In severe forms of malaria other body organs such as the brain (cerebral malaria) and kidneys (black water fever) may be involved. Symptoms associated with severe forms of malaria include convulsions and changes in behavior and level of consciousness. Severe forms of malaria can lead to death. Malaria often causes anemia and jaundice in patients. Because of poor nutrition, many people, especially children and pregnant women, in economically depressed countries like Zambia are anemic before malaria infection. Malaria-aggravated anemia often directly or indirectly causes death.
