Sleeping sickness
is curable with medication
but is fatal if left untreated.
How long does it take to recover from African sleeping sickness?
It's a short-term (acute) illness that may last
several weeks to months
. People from the U.S. who travel to Africa are rarely infected. On average, 1 U.S. citizen is infected every year.
What is the prognosis for African sleeping sickness?
Prognosis. African trypanosomiasis
is fatal if not treated
. In early or stage 1 disease, most patients recover fully with treatment. In late or stage 2 disease, the CNS disease will be fatal if untreated but the cure rate approaches 95% with drugs that cross the blood/brain barrier, such as melarsoprol.
What are the long term effects of African sleeping sickness?
After many weeks, the infection may become meningoencephalitis. This is an infection of the brain and the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. As the illness gets worse, symptoms may include:
Severe headache
.
Why is African sleeping sickness fatal?
Key facts. Sleeping sickness is caused by parasites transmitted by infected tsetse flies and is endemic in 36 sub-Saharan African countries where there are tsetse flies that transmit the disease.
Without treatment, the disease is considered fatal
.
How many people have died from trypanosomiasis?
When left untreated, the mortality rate of African sleeping sickness is close to 100%. It is estimated that
50,000 to 500,000 people die
from this disease every year.
Is there a vaccine for sleeping sickness?
There is no vaccine or drug for prophylaxis against African trypanosomiasis
. Preventive measures are aimed at minimizing contact with tsetse flies.
Does sleeping sickness make you sleep?
Once the brain is affected it results in changes in behaviour, confusion, poor coordination, difficulties with speech and disturbance of sleep
(sleeping through the day and insomnia
?
at night), hence the term ‘sleeping sickness'.
Which organ is affected by sleeping sickness?
Sleeping sickness is an infection caused by tiny parasites carried by certain flies. It results in swelling of
the brain
.
How does someone know they have African sleeping sickness?
What are the signs and symptoms of East African trypanosomiasis?
A bite by the tsetse fly is often painful and can develop into a red sore, also called a chancre
. Fever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and aching muscles and joints are common symptoms of sleeping sickness.
How is sleeping sickness diagnosed?
How is sleeping sickness diagnosed? Diagnosing sleeping sickness involves
invasive tests to confirm a positive result by
the rapid diagnostic tests used for community screening. Diagnosis requires confirming the presence of the parasite in any body fluid, usually in the blood and lymph system through a microscope.
What is the control for sleeping sickness?
Regular screening of communities in areas where tsetse flies are endemic and the culling of wild animal reservoirs, as well as personal approaches such as the use of
insect repellent
and the wearing of long-sleeved shirts and pants, have also helped reduce the number of cases of sleeping sickness.
What do you do if a tsetse fly bites you?
Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a tsetse fly (the bite is painful) and symptoms appear. If untreated, African Trypanosomiasis can lead to a coma and be fatal. Treatment includes
taking antiparasitic drugs
.
When was the last major outbreak of African sleeping sickness?
Sleeping sickness is a parasitic, vector-borne disease, carried by the tsetse fly and prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease continues to pose a public health burden in Uganda, which experienced a widespread outbreak in 1900–1920, and a more recent outbreak in
1976–1989
.
How does tsetse fly look like?
Tsetse flies are rather drab in appearance: their
colour varies from yellowish brown to dark brown
, and they have a gray thorax that often has dark markings. The abdomen may be banded. The stiff, piercing mouthparts, directed downward as the fly bites, are held horizontally at other times.
Why are tsetse flies attracted to blue?
The tsetse fly is attracted to bright colors, very dark colors, metallic fabric, and the color blue.” … So,
pieces of insecticide soaked dark fabric are hung in the wild in sub-Saharan Africa
, to attract the tsetse flies.
