african trypanosomiasis symptoms
Both of the subspecies which cause African Trypanosomiasis have different progressions and symptoms but ultimately if left untreated both result in coma followed by death [1] . Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense which causes close to just 2% of all human sleeping sickness cases is characterized by rapid progression. Human African trypanosomiasis. Symptoms Following the bite of the infected fly, the parasite multiplies in the lymph and the blood, causing headaches, fever, weakness, pain in the joints, and stiffness. East Aftrican trypanosomiasis: A bite by the tsetse fly is often painful and can develop into a red sore, also called a chancre (SHAN-ker). Fever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and aching muscles and joints are common symptoms of sleeping sickness. Some people develop a skin rash. West African trypanosomiasis: A bite by the tsetse fly is often painful. Occasionally, within 1 to 2 weeks, the infective bite develops into a red sore, also called a chancre (SHAN-ker). People who become infected may or may not show signs of illness immediately. With time the parasite crosses the blood-brain barrier and migrates to the central nervous system. Here it causes various neurological changes which include psychiatric disorders, seizures, coma and ultimately death. The rhodesiense-caused infection, often called East African Trypanosomiasis is present in specific areas within eastern and southern Africa. Countries with the highest prevalence of this form of the disease include Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Several weeks to months later, other symptoms of sleeping sickness occur. These include fever, rash, swelling around the eye and hands, severe headaches, extreme fatigue, aching muscles and joints. Back to Top Causes. Sleeping sickness is caused by two germs (protozoa), Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosomoa brucei gambiense. The more severe form of the illness is caused by T. b. rhodesiense. Tsetse flies carry the infection. When an infected fly bites you, the infection spreads through your blood. Risk factors include living in parts of Africa where the disease is found and being bitten by tsetse flies. General symptoms include: 1  Anxiety. 2  Drowsiness during the day. 3  Fever. 4  Headache. 5  Insomnia at night. 6  Mood changes. 7  Sleepiness (may be uncontrollable). 8  Sweating. An individual will get East African trypanosomiasis if they are bitten by a tsetse fly infected with the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense parasite. The tsetse fly is common only to Africa. An individual gets West African trypanosomiasis through the bite of an infected tsetse fly, found only in Africa.
Headaches, fever, weakness, pain in the joints and stiffness.