Question

The disease known as malaria may result in a fever, a decrease in red blood cells, and an enlarged liver and spleen. These symptoms are evidence of__________.

Answer 1

Answer:

These symptoms are evidence of decomposition of infected red blood cells

Explanation:

   Malaria is an infection of red blood cells caused by one of five species of Plasmodium, a protozoan. Malaria causes fever, chills, sweating, enlarged spleen and anemia (due to decomposition of infected red blood cells).  It is an acute febrile infectious disease caused by protozoa transmitted by the infected female Anopheles mosquito. Everyone can get malaria. Individuals who have had multiple episodes of malaria may achieve a state of partial immunity, showing little or no symptoms in case of a new infection.

  When infected red blood cells rupture and release parasites, the person usually shows shivering chills, followed by a fever that can reach 41 ° C. Tiredness, discomfort, headache, body aches and nausea are common. The fever usually subsides within a few hours, and then profuse sweating and extreme tiredness occur. Fevers occur unpredictably at first, but over time they become periodic. Periodic fevers come and go at regular intervals. Fevers tend to occur at 48 hour intervals with Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale and 72 hours with Plasmodium malariae. Fevers caused by Plasmodium falciparum are not usually periodic, but sometimes occur at 48 hour intervals.  As the infection progresses, the spleen increases and anemia becomes severe. Jaundice may arise.