AFRICAN SLEEPING

SICKNESS
Lexus Dennis
Biology 155
Dr. D. OHagan
Wayne County Community College

AFRICAN SLEEPING SICKNESS

African Trypanosomiasis
Results in swelling of the brain
Usually caught through a bite from an infected fly
Risk factors include living in parts of Africa where the disease is found and
being bitten by tsetse flies.
The diseasedoes not occurin the United States. But travelers who have
visited or lived in Africa can have the infection.
Caused by two protozas Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and
Trypanosomoa brucei gambiense. (The more severe form of the illness is
caused by T. b. rhodesiense.)

SYMPTOMS
Anxiety
Drowsiness during the
day
Fever
Headache
Insomnia at night
Mood changes

Sleepiness (may be
uncontrollable)
Sweating
Swollen lymph nodes all
over the body
Swollen, red, painful
nodule at site of fly bite
Weakness

LIVING WITH AFRICAN SLEEPING

SICKNESS
Diagnosis

Treatments

A physical exam may show signs of inflammation of the brain and its
covering

Blood smear

Cerebrospinal fluid tests

Lymph node aspiration

Melarsoprol

Pentamidine (for T. b. gambiense only)

Complete blood count (CBC)

Eflornithine (for T. b. gambiense only)

Suramin (Antrypol)

Some patients may receive combination therapy

WHAT AFRICAN SLEEPING

SICKNESS LOOKS LIKE