African Trypanosomiasis

African trypanosomiasis or more commonly known as sleeping sickness is an illness spread by infected Tsetse flies. These insects are more commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa and sleeping sickness is particularly caused by two parasites, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and the specie with most associated cases is Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. The signs and symptoms occur in two stages, the first( which is called hemolymphatic phase) includes itching, joint pains, headaches, and intermittent fever. The second stage (which is called neurological phase) damages the central nervous system which disrupts the patient’s sleep-wake cycle. As the disease gets worse, it leads to meningoencephalitis (hyperlink) which typically progresses to coma or even death.