Tsetse flies carry the infection. When an infected fly bites you, painful, red swelling occurs at the site of the bite. The infection then spreads through your 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 a headache, fever, and weakness. Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may develop. In addition to the bite of the tsetse fly, the disease can be transmitted in the following ways:
Mother to child infection: the trypanosome can sometimes cross the placenta and infect the fetus. Laboratories: accidental infections, for example, through the handling of blood of an infected person and organ transplantation, although this is uncommon. Blood transfusion Sexual contact (might be possible, but happens rarely)
What causes Sleeping sickness?
{{NAME}} flies carry the infection. When an infected fly bites you, painful, red swelling occurs at the site of the bite. The infection then spreads through your 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 a headache, fever, and weakness. Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) may develop. In addition to the bite of the tsetse fly, the disease can be transmitted in the following ways:
Mother to child infection: the trypanosome can sometimes cross the placenta and infect the fetus. Laboratories: accidental infections, for example, through the handling of blood of an infected person and organ transplantation, although this is uncommon. Blood transfusion Sexual contact (might be possible, but happens rarely)