How does malaria affect the red blood cells?

Malaria parasites invade and destroy red blood cells, causing anaemia and disrupting oxygen supply to vital organs.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Once in the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells.

The life cycle of the malaria parasite is complex and involves several stages. After an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasites enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver. Here, they invade liver cells and multiply. After a period of 8-30 days, the parasites leave the liver and enter the bloodstream again, this time to invade red blood cells.

Inside the red blood cells, the parasites continue to multiply, causing the cells to swell and eventually burst. This releases more parasites into the bloodstream, which go on to infect more red blood cells. The cycle of invasion, multiplication, and cell destruction repeats every 48-72 hours, which corresponds to the recurring bouts of fever experienced by malaria patients.

The destruction of red blood cells by malaria parasites leads to anaemia, a condition characterised by a reduced number of red blood cells or a reduced amount of haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood. This can disrupt the supply of oxygen to vital organs, leading to organ failure and potentially death.

In addition, the parasites can cause the infected red blood cells to stick to the walls of small blood vessels, blocking blood flow. This can lead to a severe form of malaria known as cerebral malaria, which can cause brain damage, coma, and death.

In summary, malaria parasites have a devastating effect on red blood cells. They invade and destroy these cells, causing anaemia and disrupting the supply of oxygen to vital organs. They can also cause infected cells to block blood vessels, leading to severe complications.