• Question: Why is malaria so deadly

    Asked by Professor looney ludo to Aimee, Gemma, Hussain, Robert, Ross on 16 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Ross King

      Ross King answered on 16 Nov 2015:

      Malaria doesn’t always have to be deadly. There are ways we can treat this disease. Unfortunately, most of the people who are likely to get this disease are unable to pay for the treatment, so we must focus on stopping people from getting malaria in the first place. Also, some malaria parasites are becoming resistant to the drugs that we use, meaning we need to find some other options to stop the disease from spreading.

      Malaria is so deadly because the malaria parasite that comes from the mosquito lives inside our red blood cells. There, they multiply in great numbers until eventually the red blood cell can hold no more and it bursts. Red blood cells are very important for making sure we get enough oxygen transported around the body. So, if they are damaged, we can die from not getting enough oxygen. Also, the red blood cells that have burst can become very sticky, blocking your blood vessels. This can lead to heart attack and stroke, which are both very dangerous!

    • Photo: Aimee Goodall

      Aimee Goodall answered on 18 Nov 2015:

      To add to Ross’s answer, some of the areas which malaria is most common is really difficult to get to.
      The drugs used to treat the disease need to be kept in a fridge, but as mosquitoes which spread malaria like hot countries, it is difficult to keep the medicine cool while travelling long distances to help the people!

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