Everything you need to know about African Trypanosomiasis

 

  • African Trypanosomiasis more commonly known as African Sleeping Sickness is a disease caused by the infection of the parasite Trypanosoma Brucei.

  • African Trypanosomiasis is caused by the bite of a microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma Brucei Rhodesiense.

  • Early symptoms include fever, headaches, joint pains, and itching. Later stages may include behavior changes, confusion, and poor coordination.

  • After many weeks, the infection may become meningoencephalitis, inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissues.

  • Yes. Treatment consists of anti parasitics, drugs to kill the parasites.

Extra Information

 

African Trypanosomiasis is extremely rare with fewer than 1,000 U.S. cases per year

They call it African Sleeping Sickness because symptoms can include a disturbed sleeping pattern.

African Sleeping Sickness was discovered in 1895 by a Scottish pathologist and microbiologist David Bruce.