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Alternative Names
African trypanosomiasisDefinition Return to top
Sleeping sickness is an infectious disease caused by certain flies, which results in swelling of the brain.
Causes Return to top
Sleeping sickness is caused by two organisms, T. brucei rhodesiense and T. brucei gambiense. The more severe form of the illness is caused by rhodesiense. Flies called tsetse flies carry the infection. If an infected fly bites you, painful, red swelling occurs at the site of the bite. The swelling is similar to that seen in Chagas disease.
Once the fly bites you, the infection spreads through the blood, causing episodes of fever, headache, sweating, and swelling of the lymph nodes. When the infection spreads to the central nervous system, it causes the symptoms typical of sleeping sickness. When it reaches the brain, behavioral changes such as fear and mood swings occur, followed by headache, fever, and weakness. Myocarditis may develop.
Risk factors include living in parts of Africa where the disease is found and being bitten by tsetse flies. The disease is extremely low in the United States, and is only found in travelers who have visited or lived in those African areas.
Symptoms Return to top
Gambiense-infections lead to drowsiness during the day, but insomnia at night. Sleep becomes uncontrollable as the disease gets worse, and eventually leads to coma.
General symptoms include:
Exams and Tests Return to top
A physical examination may show signs of meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and meninges).
Tests include the following:
Antibody and antigen test are not very helpful
Treatment Return to top
Medications used to treat this disorder include:
Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
Without treatment, death may occur within 6 months from cardiac failure or from rhodesiense infection itself. Gambiense infection causes the classic "sleeping sickness" disease. Both diseases should be treated immediately.
Possible Complications Return to top
Complications include injury related to falling asleep while driving or performing other activities, and progressive damage to the nervous system.
When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top
Call your health care provider if symptoms of this disorder develop. It is important to begin treatment as soon as possible.
Prevention Return to top
Pentamidine injections protect against gambiense, but have not yet been demonstrated as effective against rhodesiense. Insect control measures can help prevent the spread of sleeping sickness in areas where the disease is endemic.
Update Date: 11/27/2006 Updated by: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 25 September 2008 |