Cerebral Malaria : Serious complications for treating malaria at home especially for children and pregnant women [Nurses Diaries]
Malaria is a serious illness that can be lethal if not diagnosed and treated on time.
People like treating Malaria at home but it’s not advisable especially , if it’s a baby, young children , pregnant women or aged.
Complications of severe malaria can occur within the hours or days of the first symptoms.
When malaria is not treated early especially in babies or young children, it can affect the brain this is called cerebral malaria. It can make the brain to swell.
It can also cause seizures , lead to coma and also causes permanent brain damage to a child.
In pregnant women, malaria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, death of the mother, restricted growth of the baby in the womb and low birth weight.
Signs And Symptoms
1. Fever
2. Chills
3. Headache
4. Tiredness
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Joints pain
7. General feeling of discomfort
8. Anaemia
9. Jaundice
10. Abdominal pains
Complications
1. Coma
2. Permanent brain damage
3. Build up of fluid in the lungs
4. Liver failure
5. Kidney failure
6. Swelling and rupturing of the spleen.
Avoid treating malaria home especially for children and pregnant women to avoid any serious or permanent complications
Credit: Irene Saah (Registered General Nurse, RGN)
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