5 simple things to know about sleeping sickness

Sleeping sickness, also known as Human African trypanosomiasis, is a serious disease that mainly affects people in parts of Africa. It can be deadly if not treated, but it is preventable and curable when detected early. 

This article highlights five simple and important things everyone should know about sleeping sickness.

What is sleeping sickness? 

Sleeping sickness is an illness caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma brucei. The parasite first affects the blood and later attacks the brain and nervous system if treatment is delayed.

Causes and How It Spreads

The disease is caused  by two types of parasites:

• Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (West and Central Africa)

• Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (East and Southern Africa)

These parasites are mainly spread through the bite of an infected tsetse fly. Rarely, it can spread from mother to child or through blood transfusion.

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The main symptoms

Sleeping sickness develops in two stages.

• Early stage: fever, headache, tiredness, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

• Late stage: sleep problems, confusion, behavior changes, seizures, coma, and death if untreated.

Treatment 

Sleeping sickness can be treated and cured, especially when diagnosed early. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the type of parasite involved. Late treatment is more difficult and dangerous.

Prevention 

There is currently no vaccine for sleeping sickness. Prevention focuses on avoiding the bites of tsetse flies, such as wearing long clothing, avoiding bushes, and supporting fly control initiatives in affected areas.