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African Trypanosomiasis

African Trypanosomiasis; Sleeping Sickness
Tsetse fly Tsetse Fly African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is transmitted by the tsetse fly. Like Malaria, humans catch this disease whilst the flies feed on human blood. Again this is propagated by flies biting infected humans.

After reproducing in the blood the tryanosomes responsible then invade the lymph nodes and spleen. In some forms of the disease the trypanosomes then go on to attack the brain and spinal cord.

This disease can also be fatal, and in the early stages causes swelling and tenderness of the spleen and lymph nodes. Typical incubation periods are 10-14 days then the following symptoms occur:
  • Irregular fevers
  • Delayed reaction to pain
  • Severe headaches
    and in worse cases:
  • Mental dullness and apathy
  • Paralysis
  • Sleepiness
    The Gambian form of the disease can cause death within 3 years of infection.

    Tryparsamide is an effective drug against the Gambian form of the infection. It is also extremely effective against all forms which have not yet reached the central nervous system. There are a few side-effects though, some of the worst being optical neuritis occasionally losing to a loss of vision. Suramin sodium is also effective if the disease is caught in the early stages. However, the Rhodesian form of the infection is unstoppable beyond a certain stage of development.