By Peter Lisacchi

The Sleepless Victims of African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

What causes it?

It is cause by a vector borne parasite The parasite is called Trypanosoma

How is it transmitted?

It is spread by the tsetse fly It is not physically communicable, but two

subjects near each other can be bitten by the same fly

Who gets it?

Any age group, race, or sex can get it It is specific to rural areas in africa, such as

Egypt and Libya

Etiology

Incubation period is 6-28 days Signs and symptoms- swelling of bite area

followed by severe fatigue, headaches, joint pain, change in behavior and sleeping patterns, and itching

Detected by blood tests and lumbar puncture

Pathophysiology

Can be acute and chronic Even when infected, can be infected again The body will suffer neurological disorders, joint

pain, and itchiness

Prognosis

There is no vaccine Can be prevented by avoiding areas with the

tsetse fly, or by wearing protective clothing Treated with Pentamidine,Suramin,

melarsoprol,eflornithine, and a combination of nifurtimox and efornithine

Can become terminal if left untreated

Bibliography

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs259/en/

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Disease/sleeping_sickness.html

http://goafrica.about.com/od/healthandsafety/p/sleepingsick.htm